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.

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[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?]

[Ochako is paying very close attention to the conversation that mage is having, and Izuku might be able to catch a few offhand words here and there, but the one that sticks out the most, and causes Ochako to audibly gasp is but one single word: "geminids".

She nearly drops her milkshake, fumbling with it a bit before actually hurrying over. Sorry Deku, there is important SPACE shit going on, and Ochako needs to confirm if what she heard is true. Is it really tonight? Yeah, the date is about right, but she never really expected that it'd be the same kind of phenomenon?!]

E-Excuse me!! I'm so sorry to interrupt, but...d-did you say geminids? A-As in the geminid meteor shower? [The mage brightens, waving their arms excitedly and nodding their head furiously, going on to say that tonight, in just a few hours, will be the prime time to watch the shower right here.] Tonight is the meteor shower?! Oh my--really?! I-I can't...what are the weather conditions? A-And the visibility?!

[The face the mage makes nearly makes Ochako fall over out of sheer delight, and she races over, grabbing Izuku and practically shaking him.]

DEKU, DEKU, DEKU!! THERE'S GOING TO BE A METEOR SHOWER TONIGHT!! The Geminids!!! It's one of the better ones, with activity stemming from 30-50 stars a minute, a-and apparently the conditions to watch it tonight are perfect! I can't believe it, I...I-I--

[She hiccups, getting a bit weepy again. Oh, seems like her emotions are finally catching up again, oops. But at least she looks sort of happy this time around?]

M'so hapby... [;A;]

[....??!?!? The what- shower?? Getting the heck shook out of him has Izuku's torso flopping back and forth and he can feel his soul leaving his body-]

A meteor shower?! T-Tonight?! Uraraka-san, if you shake me more I'll be the one... The one- shooting- through the s-sky!

[He manages a laugh and then flails his arms a bit, gripping his drink and nodding quickly. Please don't shoot him off into space there's a shower to see!!]

We have to get to the observation deck and get the best spot to see it! Let's go-!

[He's been to a bunch of nerd shows before, the early bird gets the best spots! So he pats her arm and then it's going to be a beeline for the stairs up to the deck! Run. Run!!]

[Ah yes...Midoriya. Best served shaken, not stirred. |D

Ochako does stop eventually though, and she seems to go back and forth between emotions, still sort of breathless and blotchy. She spent so much energy today and finally gets to relax with something that has and will always put her totally at ease - stargazing. It's one of her favorite activities ever, and definitely up there. Astral bodies are just so...so cool.]

Yeah, it's the geminid meteor shower!! Shooting stars form and are centralized around the constellation Gemini, and under perfect conditions, you can see a TON of shooting stars a minute!! [She is already grabbing Izuku's wrist, hurrying up the winding staircase to a higher tower and the observation deck. Of course it's going to be high up, too, this is basically a public wizard tower.] I don't get to see them that much because Musutafu has so much light pollution...but back in the countryside I can watch them from time to time if they're on a day I can stay up super late.

[She sighs, dreamily...then slurps her milkshake loud and fast.] Mmmhh!! No sleeping! No tiredness!!!

Deku, if I start to fall asleep, you have to punch me. It's the law of friendship. [It is assuredly not.]

Punch you?! Are you sure?

[Don't worry it won't be a token smash punch. Izuku lets out a snort of laughter. As they burst through the door to the top deck. There are already some people getting ready to observe the shower but there seems to be plenty of room for them to pick a spot still.]

I've never left the city much so I've never seen anything like this before. Uraraka-san, will this be your first time to see the whole thing clearly?

[And at least Izuku is a nighttime cryptid most of the time. He used to stay up watching hero dramas all the time. So staying up late isn't an issue for him most of the time.]

W-Wel...at least hit me or something!!

[Because Ochako definitely is thinking of those big ol' smashy punches. She can take a beating, yes, but a bop like that might actually knock her out of commission completely, so yeah. Please be gentle if she needs to be woken up, though with the excitement and adrenaline coursing through Ochako, it may not be necessary (for now, that mental exhaustion is definitely going to catch up to her quickly).

As they settle, Ochako sips her milkshake for more sugary energy and swirls the plastic cup a little bit.]

One like this? Yeah, it'll be my first... Usually a shower with so much activity doesn't happen much around our area, or when it does, the best viewing time is when it's daylight in Musutafu. I only ever really saw one good shower, and that was when I was, uhh...I think eight? Maybe nine. It was summer, and my mama and papa were visiting our relatives in the countryside. I took a nap on the car ride there, so I wasn't sleepy, and got to see the shower from the back seat. It was sooo pretty...

Ehehe, I think that's when I started to really want a telescope of my own. [Though it never happened, and probably never will. A really good telescope is crazy expensive, several hundred thousand yen, and with her family's finances being what they are...it's just a pipe dream.]

[A really good telescope, huh. Izuku files that away quietly as they settle down in their spot. Sitting side by side and shoulder to shoulder Izuku takes a second to inhale the cool night air and look up at the stars that are twinkling. With everything finished and Gokudera being okay it feels like such a relief to just breathe in the cold night air. Letting it nip his lungs. He takes another sip of his milkshake before he answers.]

I've lived in Musutafu my whole life but I never thought to look at the stars or try to find meteor showers. Even if it was hard to see anything through the normal city pollution, I wish I tried.

[It makes him miss home, that same little ache that the both of them have. Wonder and worry mixing together as usual.]

I'm glad I'm going to get the chance to see this one for the first time with you, Uraraka-san.

[He smiles...!!]

Edited 2022-01-16 20:07 (UTC)

[~~Heck.~~ The observatory tower is high up and cool, and for this particular night, the skylights were open wide or simply removed with magic for the best viewing experience. Ochako sets down a few large and plush cushions to rest their heads on, a few mages and attendants walking around and tapping a few large, crystal beacons that pulse with an orange glow once and fill the area with a deep and pleasant heat. Providing blankets for everyone just isn't viable for a single wizard tower, really. And magic is just easier.]

Ehehe, I understand. It's not something a lot of people think about in the big city...and I'm sure you had other things to worry about.

[Ochako sure did... Her life was never really easy growing up poor. She equated her growing love of space to her quirk, but really...maybe it was just fate. Wishing on a star here and there is something people do for a better future, right?]

Hee, me too. I'm really glad you're here, Deku-kun. Always when I really need you, too. [She smiles as well, settling in and looking up at the inky blackness, littered with stars already. It shouldn't be long now... Ochako brushes her hand against Izuku's gently, holding it in her own.] First one you see, you have to make a wish!!

[He smiles at her and thinks about what sort of things he had to worry about when he was a kid growing up in Musutafu. It wasn't always pleasant especially the days where he wasn't friends with Katsuki but... he thinks for the most part he had a good childhood. His mom worked so hard for them, his father overseas too. He cried sometimes, over little things, about being quirkless... But everything is so changed now.

He rests back with a sigh. Letting himself get lost in the stars sparkling overhead. There's small twinkles and sparks as the shower seems to be starting to sparkle to life.]

A wish...? I have to think about what I'd wish for.

[He tilts his head to look at her. His hand holding hers naturally even if he still gets that little tickle of nervousness in his chest when it happens. He blinks and then looks up at the sky again and wonders...

As a shooting star flies by...!]

Ah- I... wish for the future to work out for all of us.

[Everyone. Even...]

[Ochako would actually really like to hear about those things someday. Not to poke or pry, or even to berate Bakugou over his behavior (though she certainly won't be happy about it, for Izuku's sake - who would be, seeing their friend abused like that?), but she's coming to find out that she really doesn't seem to know much about her friends, especially these two. They were childhood friends for a time, Bakugou very pointedly severed that bond at some point, and now... Now they're together again, but romantically? It's a bit odd, and Ochako doesn't get it herself, but that's only because she's missing facts. Her two best friends in this world...some of the remaining few...she wants to be closer to them as well.

Looking up at the vastness of the sky above like this, though her eyes wander back to her friend's calm face, Ochako definitely feels closer to at least him right now. But then again, she always has been, hasn't she? From the first time they met, they just got along right away, and it's only increased more and more from there. Maybe, someday soon, it'll be the same with Bakugou, too.]

Really? I would have though it'd be easy for you, ehehe.

[His dream of becoming the number one hero, of helping others, and just doing what's right for everyone...that's always been what Izuku was all about. Hence why Ochako grins a little and squeezes his hand gently at the wish he makes before she starts to see stars dart swiftly across the sky, one after the other. The first one she sees, she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.]

I like yours, and mine is kind of similar, actually. I wish...to grow enough so I can support everyone else's wishes, keep them all smiling and happy. So that we can see that bright future all together...and keep helping people like I was able to today. Eehehe, kind of sappy, huh?

[But that's just how she is. Giving. Ochako gives far more than she actually takes. Her need for money to give to her parents, her need for strength to usher in a bright future for everyone... Ochako's eyes get a little glassy, and she reaches up with her free hand to dab at them a little bit, feigning a yawn to not look too suspicious. Let her be sappy, shoosh.]

I- I don't think it's sappy.

[Izuku smiles and nods as he looks back up at the stars and finds that their shared dreams are good. They have things they want out of their futures, people they want to help and people they want to see safe. There are things that Izuku has to keep from her and things he's sure she wouldn't understand but it's when their dreams are like this that Izuku feels a little better.

When he thinks of his future. He can see this splotch on it. What will happen with Shigaraki, with One For All, with his relationships, how he wants to see the future...]

I know as a hero I can do my best to make sure that happens. I think we both can. I'm ready for it. No matter what, I'll keep going.

wrapping here!

floatsaway - 2022-02-13 21:30 (UTC) - Expand

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I'm a lover, not a fighter

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wrapping here!