isleofavalon | I'm a lover, not a fighter

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I'm a lover, not a fighter

🧙 WHO: Gokudera Hayato, Naomi Kimishima, Midoriya, Ochako, Emet-Selch, Tsuna, and close CR (basically anyone who spoke to Gokudera about this)
⚔️️ WHAT: Gokudera's collar-removal procedure!
🕒 WHEN: Early November!
🗺️ WHERE: Dr. Kimishima's Clinic
⚠️ WARNINGS: Language, blood, mentions of decapitation (I'll update if there's anything else going on)

The Day Before

Anyone looking to reach out to Gokudera before his procedure can contact him through his IC inbox or in here to wish him luck or... offer any possible last words for him if they suspect he may need them.

Gokudera's pretty certain he isn't going to die, doesn't want to, and will openly say as much with a smile in order to make himself and anyone he talks to feel better. He will spend the day before the procedure keeping to himself, trying not to alert anyone of any possible upset. He'll seem ruminative and fairly aloof and avoidant when it comes to feelings unless anyone calls him on his bullshit.

For those looking to simply talk to him about this, now would be their best chance. Gokudera has only really informed his boss of everything, and even his best friends aren't contacted. Sorry, but he's trying to keep the worrying for everyone to a minimum.

Maybe he needs to be distracted before the big day! Be the one to distract or offer a kind word! Or... not!

The Day of...

The only people allowed to be in the room of the procedure are Emet-Selch, Dr. Kimishima, Midoriya, Ochako, and Gokudera (obviously). There are people Gokudera would like to see directly after, to announce the successful removal of his collar, or if things turn out badly, would like them to know about his death. In an effort to keep the clinic free of a crowd of close friends, that lobby may only be occupied by Tsuna (or Midoriya as well if he can't get his nerves straight). The preparation for this is probably going to take longer than the procedure itself. This is the time for high nerves and lots of anxious sweating about everything.

The Procedure

Here's the plan:

- Ochako uses kinetic magic to keep the collar in place
- Gokudera uses the Mini potion to shrink himself
- Gokudera falls/shrinks out of the collar's range
- Ochako then uses her magic to move the collar into a lock-box (gotta keep other necks, fingers, wrists or whatever safe from the collar)

There's a lot that COULD go wrong but to anyone who knows Gokudera or what he's been through... this is going to go smooth because it's about time something went well for him.

The Freedom! AKA: Gokudera Independence Day (I'll see myself out)

Gokudera is roughly four inches tall and will stay that way for a few hours. He's FREE! Finally! Consider you get a text message saying the procedure was a success! He'll be celebrating later but hasn't actually planned anything out.

If you didn't get a text from him, you could have gotten a text from anyone involved. Maybe you even got sent a picture of a tiny!Gokudera with no collar around his neck. Blow his phone up with congratulation texts! Show up at the clinic (Naomi may not like that), but hey it's good news! React however you want! Just have fun!

Celebration???

Are we throwing a party? Is there something I forgot? Have a blast and I don't care how your character found out. We have fun here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

i. The Day Of

[It's now or never. Ochako had attempted to go to bed early the night prior, anticipating she'd be restless and get little sleep, and...well, she was right on the nose. A lot of tension, anxiety, and restlessness kept her awake for a major part of the evening, pervasive thoughts and fears slinking around in her head to keep her from getting the rest she needs. Thankfully, the night took pity on her and she was able to get a few hours, truly waking herself up with some strong, black tea and a cool shower before she heads out.

There's a lot of people she doesn't know here, so mostly she keeps to herself to sticks by Izuku's side for the comfort he provides. A lot of this is riding on mixed participation by multiple parties, so if even one person falters, it could spell a fatal failure on their part. And when the stakes are so high, that kind of failure isn't an option. A Hero who saves... That's been her goal from the start - become a good Rescue Hero, and help those in need, who can't help themselves. It's time to put that resolve into practice.

But man...the fear and nervousness is etched right into her face.]

ii. The Procedure

[It's all come down to this. After shaking off the nerves involved, and really steeling her resolve (and maybe using a few meditative breathing exercises she learned from Gunhead's agency), Ochako is ready to start when bid to. It's not a difficult thing she has to do, really, but it requires a steady hand, and hers right now are shaking. Her stomach feels like it's trying to churn butter and Ochako knows she can't let her nausea get the better of her this time around. It'll be okay...it'll be okay... This is what Heroes do, they can't back down. They can't give up. They go beyond limitations--]

...Plus Ultra.

[It's a breathy whisper to herself, a flexing of her fingers before she's concentrating on the task at hand, fingertips glowing pink as she focuses all her magic on keeping the collar around Gokudera's neck stationary long enough for him to shrink out of it. From there it's a game of hot potato to toss it into a lock-box where no one else can get caged into it.

Right. It's time to begin.]

Edited 2021-11-06 18:15 (UTC)

[Izuku is right there with her with just as much anxiety and nervousness as one would expect. He's halfway to sweating bullets because this is such a high-stress situation. A friend's life is on the life. Someone's life is on the line. And they all have to do their best...

While Izuku isn't part of the actual procedure he is here to support all the players as best he can. So he's there standing with Ochako as he puts a hand on her shoulder in comfort.]

Uraraka-san, hang in there. It's going to work out.

[He's telling himself that too.]

I know that you and Kimishima-sensei are going to be able to do this.

[And once it's all over... milkshakes.]

[In all honesty, just having Deku there to support her in this endeavor is a huge balm on her nerves. Ochako is shaking, despite how hard she's forcing herself not to. It feels like a massive weight is on her chest, threatening to choke the breathe right out of her. It's tense all around - so much is riding on their success. Not only that, but she bolstered her own confidence a while back only to falter a bit on the day of.

No, she can't get cold feet now. What was it she said to Gokudera that one time, on the back of that weird origami thing?

We want you to live, and you're going to.

...Yeah. Yeah, that's right. He's going to live. They're going to do this. Ochako takes Izuku's hand, covering it with hers and squeezing his fingers gently but with enough pressure to at least prove she's found her focus.]

Thanks, Deku-kun. I-I know we'll do it. We're going to do it. [But I'm still afraid.] ...I'm glad you're here.

[He moves to grip her hand back gently, holding it as steady as he can in his. To be honest he's scared too. Whenever there is life on the line Izuku feels this swirling bubble of anxiety in his lungs. He always pushes it deep to keep moving. They just have to keep moving.]

We're going to do it. [He repeats her words with a nod. The smile on his face is small but real and sincere.] Because we're heroes and that's what we do.

[Sometimes it is easier to fall back on their mantras.]

I'll be here the whole time.

[He's nervous too. But he wants to be strong for her!]

[In that way, Izuku and Ochako are much the same - they push aside their feelings to continue forward, because not moving isn't something Heroes do. They have to improve, constantly, and never allow anything to stop them in their tracks. Doing so can easily mean the difference between great victory, and excessive loss. And for any Hero, but a Rescue Hero especially, that is seen as complete and utter failure.]

Right...that's right. A Hero never backs down! [She squeezes Izuku's hands, trying to somehow channel some of that boundless, heroic determination he always seems to have into herself, but it doesn't quite hit as much. the nerves are still there, but his presence alone is...well. it helps. It helps a lot.]

...Ne, Deku? When this is over, um...c-can you stay a while? [With her?] Please?

[In their choice of careers, in the dreams they see to make for themselves, there is very little room for seeing failure. Pushing hard to help others, to succeed, to save lives and win... ~~that is their ninja way~~ Izuku always wants to do his best. He always wants to put everything he has into those concepts.

But it also means he wants to do his best for his fellow heroes too. His friends. They've done so much to hold Izuku up and he only wants to do the same things. That's why he nods, nervous as he is, and squeezes her hand.]

I'll stay, Uraraka-san...! Whatever you want to do after this, we can do it. I'll... maybe we could get something sweet to drink?

[Putting everything they have into one thing, a combined effort that everyone strives for the future... It truly is exactly like their school's motto of going beyond limitations. Plus Ultra indeed.]

Thanks, Deku... [Ochako hesitates a moment before she bites her lower lip and tugs her friend into a tight hug. She really needs one, and it helps to ground her more in reality than in the vacuum that is her thoughts and fears. She takes a big, deep breath and exhales slowly.] I'd really, really like that... I-I think there was an old-fashioned ice cream parlor around Camelot or something. I know I saw an ad about it on my phone once.

...Could probably use a milkshake after.

[He almost feels tears in his eyes when she hugs him. His arms come up to pull her close and hang on just as tightly as she is. She might just be able to notice that Izuku's heart is beating rapidly with his nerves too. That all of this is really scary but neither of them are backing down for a single second.

Then he nods and sucks up his tears with a sniffle.]

I'll treat us to milkshakes. Then... you can tell me more about the constellations and the stars. I still haven't been able to memorize some of the names of the constellations. But I've been practicing...

[How about a little stargazing together?]

[She does notice, but only after discerning that it wasn't her rapidly beating heart. Ochako is nervous - this isn't the first time she's raced in to help someone, and it is her future career to do things like this - but she's always been in the heat of the moment those times. Battling, moving rubble from a rescue training, stuff like that. This feels vastly different, and she feels so overwhelmingly unprepared mentally for what could go wrong. How it'd be her fault if it did. If she lost her nerve.

Flashes of grizzly memories enter her mind and Ochako curls her fingers tight into Izuku's shirt as she exhales shakily. She can't...sh-she really can't hold a dying person in her arms again. This time not just an acquaintance or anything. It'd be someone she considers a friend...and it'd hurt so, so much more. But, at the least, talking about space and the stars does seem to perk Ochako up a little, and her smile actually seems a bit more genuine this time.]

I can definitely do that...! I, um...I-I know a lot about space. C-Cuz of my quirk. I studied gravity first, when I was little and just starting out, then I just...got more and more into it. Stars, planets, different galaxies and moons...I even know some of the named stars that make up a lot of the different constellations.

[A distraction. She needs this. Badly.]

I can tell you all about it after this?

[Izuku can relate to all of those feels she might be having in her head right now. The fear of losing someone, a friend, somehow makes that feeling so much worse. As people but as heroes it makes the decisions they choose to make all the more serious. Every decision counts, every effort counts.

His expression softens when she starts to explain her like for space and stars. He listens even if she's said these things to him before. If it helps ease her for a moment to talk about something she likes... He hopes that helps with the nerves.]

If you need to take a deep breath while you're in there, Uraraka-san. Think of your favourite stars, okay...?

[Keep her focus. Keep her nerves away.]

After this, I'll be waiting for that...! [He smiles and squeezes her.] I- I think it's time to do this.

[It does help, because it gets her mind off the upcoming task at hand, and lessens her tangling nerves a little - settling them back in place. It's not long, unfortunately, and she's not fully calmed down, but it'd enough to focus on so she doesn't spiral too far out of control. That'd be no good for anyone, and she'd never stop blaming herself if her lack of focus or panic lead to failure and...something far worse, in the case of someone else.

Ochako smiles again, nodding her head. That's a good plan. Focus on something she likes - her favorite stars and constellations, the planets and moons, different galaxies and nebulas...]

That's a really good idea, Deku-kun, I'll do that. [She takes that deep breath, because...it's time. Enough dawdling. Time to do this. In...and out again.] It's going to be okay. Ne, we're Heroes, right? This is what we do all the time! I...I-I think I'm ready now.

[She pulls away, and it's rather reminiscent to her first Sports Festival from way, way back. That shaky smile, that trembling thumbs up. The thinly veiled tremble in her voice.] Deku-kun, see you when it's over, yeah?

[And in she goes into the so-called "operation" room. The procedure itself really doesn't take long at all, but it feels long, and by the end of it, Ochako is pale and flustered, splotchy and sweaty and looking like she ran a thousand laps around the whole of UA proper. She's breathing hard, not really able to say much, and once outside...all the pent up anxiety she'd been holding back finally bursts over and she nearly falls to the ground.]

I'll see you when it's over, Uraraka-san...!

[And he will just pace while the procedure takes place. Walking back and forth. Wringing his hands. Sitting with Sawada-kun. Reciting the names of all his favourite pro heroes in alphabetical order and then backwards... It might not be a long set of spells and procedures but boy does it feel like it takes forever...

His head snaps up once the doors burst open and Izuku shouts,]

Uraraka-san!!

[Is it done...?? She looks pale. Izuku goes to her to help her stay on her feet.]

How did it...?? Are you alright?

He's fine.

[Ochako says this first, just to alleviate some of Deku's worries, but she's still trembling slightly, despite the smile that's slowly overtaking her face, big fat tears dripping down her cheeks.]

He's fine...w-we did it. The collar's off, I...I-I--

[She hiccups, rubbing at her face and not really hearing her voice through the ringing in her ears. Thank goodness for Izuku being there, otherwise she'd be facefirst on the floor. That anxiety was a hell of a bitch, and Ochako is leaning hard against her friend, taking big breaths in and out while she lets out all of her earlier fears of failure that were gnawing at the edges of her mind all day.]

I did it...we all-- [She sniffles, hugging Deku tight.] We did it! We saved him, and...a-and!

[And she needs a fucking nap, holy shit.]

[What a rush of relief it is to hear her say that. But it's so quickly replaced with worry for her that he holds her so that she doesn't collapse but he's shaking a bit himself.]

We did it- you did it, Uraraka-san...! You did it...!!

[She did the biggest part of this job and he's so proud and scared and worried and happy all at once. It's a lot. It really is.]

You did great... You're a hero.

[She doesn't want to take all the credit, because it most certainly was a team effort to get this accomplished, but...it feels good. It definitely does feel good to get the praise for a job well done. Something of this caliber especially. But, Ochako feels leaden, and despite how she smiles and nods at Izuku's words, she can feel tears leaking from her eyes and down her cheeks.]

I-I'm...I'm a Hero. [She hiccups again, and the words feel weird in a way. Heavy and light at the same time and she isn't really sure what all these emotions are in her head right now.] I'm a Hero. I...s-saved...I--

[Her voice cracks as she laughs, wet and watery, and just holds onto Deku tight. She wants to lift him up, swing him around because she really is happy underneath it all, but she still feels wrung out. It hasn't hit her yet, that she should be celebrating.]

Eh...eheh! I'm getting y-your shirt dir-dirty...

That's ... not what I'm worried about at all...!

[She can cry all she wants and get his shirt all dirty. He is still going to let her hold on to him as much as she needs to because it's a huge relief for both of them! He was so worried. He'd been sweating bullets the entire time so hopefully, he doesn't smell bad or anything-

Izuku nods.]

I knew you could do it...!! Everyone can relax now...

[She won't cry for long, even that feels like it's too exhausting. Ochako just wants to hold onto her best friend a while longer until her fingers stop shaking. She was concentrating so hard, holding her magic for what seemed like so long, and...it worked. It all worked out.

Without really thinking, Ochako gives Izuku a light kiss on the cheek. That faith in her really did help, as did his advice - thinking about things that make her happy. Stars, her favorite planets, and everyone being able to smile together after this...laughing until there are tears. They are do that now for real.]

Thanks, Deku. ...Hey, let's go get those drinks now, ne? [Ochako kind of just wants to get out of here, really.] And maybe later tonight, we can visit and observatory! There's actually a whole bunch of them in this world!! Lots and lots of high towers with telescopes and stuff that wizards rent out for astronomy! I want to go.

[She sort of needs it.]

[Despite how things are now Izuku really can't help the way his cheeks immediately turn red when he feels that light soft pressure on his cheek. He's just so relieved that she's held herself together and if he was able to help her do that he's happy. He looks at her and listens and nods his head a little dumbly but he's sure.]

R-right- ... The- The milkshakes and the observatory...! Let's go there now, Uraraka-san. I said it would be my treat.

[He'll stand straight and help her if she wobbles. Honestly, Izuku is pretty sure his legs felt a little weak waiting for everything to happen...]

You can test me on how many constellations I can get right.

[It was a sort of spur of the moment thing, really, and maybe because Ochako just...feels more comfortable around Izuku now. She can be affectionate and cuddly without it being this big, dumb, awkward flip-flop of emotions and "will they, won't they" between them. Besides, who says friends can't give friends kisses? Izuku was probably just as worried and anxious as she was - she knows how he gets.]

Mm, I'm really...r-really looking forward to it.

[Ochako is going to need that help for at least the first few minutes of their walk. The anxiety that left her in that moment sort of sapped her strength along with it, and the procedure itself was a bit taxing as well. Ochako really can't wait to sit and just be with her best friend for the rest of the day.]

Hee, don't ask me that, Deku-kun, you'll never get me to shut up. I'm like you are with Hero trivia when it comes to space and stuff. I'm surprised no one's ever bothered Sero-kun to tape my mouth shut or anything. [Truly, she is the prime space nerd of their class, where Izuku is hero/quirk nerd.]

[That has Izuku letting out a small laugh as he helps them out the door. It's time to blow this popsicle stand and get themselves some milkshakes and head up to the observatory to drink them under the stars. He'll make sure to check in with Tsuna and the others to make sure everything is okay before leaving but then it's out the door for them into the freshness of the outside air.]

I'm actually really interested in hearing about how much you know, Uraraka-san...! I don't mind trying to learn more. I used to babble so much about hero trivia that I'm sure I owe you at least an hour or more of your chance to babble at me, ne?

[Heck knows Izuku can get carried away with it. It's okay that he wants to hear her get carried away now. And it'll be a nice way to unwind, he hopes.]

Tell me about your favourite stars.

[Likewise - once Ochako is feeling more alive and energized herself, she'll be sure to check in with Kimishima-sensei again to check on Gokudera's status and even talk you her friend as well, to be sure right from the source. Still, maybe a night or two just to decompress is good for everyone... Heaven knows they all need that cooldown time.

Tking in a deep inhale once they're outside, Ochako looks up at the sky and just allows herself to breath a moment before following after Izuku. She stays near to his side, still needing a bit of support, but tries not to crowd him too much.]

Really? [He's interested? That actually makes her face heat up a little, and she smiles nervously. That is, until he goes off about his Hero trivia and she just laughs.] Ahaha, I guess we both have a pretty nerdy hobby, huh? Well, it's a whole lot of science stuff, so...mmh..I-I hope you can keep up.

[Since Ochako usually gets top marks in their science classes, and nearly always finishes their written exams first. Math and science - those are her two best classes, and always has been. Thankfully, a lot of the time the two go hand in hand as well.]

Well, I don't know about favorite, but Vega was the first one I thought of just now, and it's the brightest star in the constellation Lyra - the Lyre. And it's the fifth brightest star in the entire night sky, burning at an amazing 9,602 Kelvin!! That's 9328.85 degrees Celsius!! And comparing that to the temperature of our sun, which is only a meager 5,505 degrees Celsius, it's nearly DOUBLE THAT!! Can you imagine?! A star out there that's burning twice as hot as the Sun?! But! The fact we don't see Vega as brightly in the sky as we do the sun is because while the sun is 147.14 million kilometers from us, Vega is 25.05 light years away!!

[She spreads her arms up and out, progressively getting wide-eyed and animated the more she talks and talks. This is definitely a full blown nerd rant going on here right now. How does it fell to be on the receiving end, Izuku?]

And a single light year is 9.7 trillion kilometers!! Like, just think of it!!! There's something burning that bright and that hot so, so, soooo far away and we can still see it with the naked eye!

[Goodness- He knew she loved the stars and science but to have everything memorized down to the decimal points of temperatures and distances is truly mind-blowing!! Maybe Izuku has gotten himself in over his head? Not that he can really talk- Izuku has various useless hero facts crammed up in his head right down to the weight sizes All Might has at various stages of his life and power percentages of every attack, etc etc...]

A sun that bright...?! Do you ever think that maybe there is another world out there that could thrive under a sun that hot and bright?

[He doesn't know how strong an ozone layer would have to be to protect from a sun that hot. But he's going full science fiction here. So much that Izuku suddenly pulls a notebook and pencil out to write down some theories on that.

They start up the stairs to the top observation deck of the tower.]

I wonder if we could see it from the top of the tower, even?

[And, as if on cue--]

...Where were you keeping that?

[A-Anyway!!

Stars, moons, planets, various galaxies...all aspects of space are things Ochako has a vast knowledge of. She probably has her own stack of printed articles and bookmarked websites and pages on her laptop where she just goes to learn and read up on anything she wants to know. Honestly, in her spare time, she watches videos about certain things like that, or has a documentary playing in the background when she studies. These two each have their hobbies, and both are as nerdy as they come. Truly, they are cut from the same cloth - perhaps why they're such good friends.]

Well, it's a possibility... Ehehe, I mean, now more than ever, y'know? Knowing there's worlds out there besides ours and all. And even back home, space explorations is still going, finding water and suns out there that could, theoretically, sustain life. It's all so fascinating...

[Up they go!! After a bit of a trek there, and ordering some milkshakes to go, that is. There's a few people there as well - mostly other astronomers and some mages looking to enhance their magic. Celestial bodies are great conduits for certain magics, after all! Ochako tunes out a little bit as one of said mages is talking, quite animatedly, to another and her eyes widen a bit.]

Eh, s-sorry, Deku, hold on... [She leans forward, trying to catch bits and pieces of that conversation. Did she hear right? Could it be?]

[Don't worry about it-]

Thinking about all the other planets and stars out there... I- I never thought it would be something we would get to experience first hand.

[YEAH MOVING ON... Izuku himself has always had a healthy like for things like science and things like that. He might not be as great at this specific subject like she is but it's still amazing to learn about it. To think about how vast space is especially now that they're so far away from home on another star altogether...

With milkshakes in hand, he takes a sip before stalls. She stops for a second and he gives her a curious look.]

Eh?

[What did she hear?]

I'm a lover, not a fighter

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wrapping here!