isleofavalon | [closed] A little shy and sad of eye

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[closed] A little shy and sad of eye

🧙 WHO: Hayato Gokudera and Tsunayoshi Sawada
⚔️️ WHAT: Gokudera wakes up from his CRAU update/nap
🕒 WHEN: mid April before the event
🗺️ WHERE: the inn
⚠️ WARNINGS: mentions of some pretty dark stuff if conversation leads to it! Will update as necessary!

Gokudera wakes up after having been asleep for what feels like a very refreshing nap, when it was literal weeks. Larry has been with him, patting around the inn and staying visible as an act to reassure Tsuna of his human's well-being. The bomber's appearance has noticeably shifted. He's taller, thinner, and quiet as he moves about, looking over everything in his room. He feels like he's been gone for years, so disconnected that there's a strange sense of nostalgia washing over him.

He was home, and then on Avalon, then home again, then Amoi, Anchor, and now Avalon again. Walking out into the common area of their room in the inn, Gokudera moves very carefully. It feels like a strange dream, and he moves to Takeshi's room to peek in on him. It's Yamamoto here. Not Takeshi. Carefully and oh so quiet, he shuts the door before sighing and wondering if his boss is still in this world, he turns to look in the direction of his boss's room.

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Typically, Tsuna has a hard time getting up in the mornings, and perhaps even more so since his worries haven't led to a lot of sleep. It's a pretty constant part of his routine to check on both Yamamoto and Gokudera regularly now, and that sometimes occurs at odd hours. The presence of the familiars is helpful, but he feels he has to check as well.

He leaves his room, rubbing his eyes and moving to check on Gokudera like he normally would but he stops suddenly as wakefulness catches up with him. Seeing Gokudera, he brightens and if he's noticed the changes yet, they haven't registered. Mostly, he's just happy to see his friend.

"Gokudera-kun! You're up! You're awake!"

Gokudera gives a visible jump upon seeing his boss, but he looks far from unhappy. He approaches him eagerly, but stops a good distance away, hesitant. It feels like it's been a long time, but that reaction suggests otherwise.

"How long was I out, Tenth?" He rubs his head and glances around.

"Ah...Awhile, actually. Like, a couple weeks. I was starting to get worried but Larry assured me you were okay. Or at least I think that's what he was doing."

He's not the best speaker of Familiar but he was able to at least get the point.

"I got some cake for us but it was starting to get stale, so I guess I owe you," he says with a nervous laugh.

"Ah... it uh. It was longer for me. I think I'm further in the future than I was before. And I actually went to some other worlds before coming back here." Gokudera is grateful for Larry reassuring his boss, though he's not sure how. Then again, Larry has never seemed fond of directly communicating to the bomber.

"Cake? What for?" Did he miss anything important? Gokudera pulls out his device to check.

"Hiee," Is all Tsuna can really say in response to that.

He knows that time is weird and that they're all from different points and that things have happened in the future but he didn't know that that could change. It's...weird to wrap his mind around so he's stalling a bit as his mind tries to wrap around that thought.

"Oh, uh, I just happened to see some when I was out one day and it looked good. I figured we could all use a treat," he manages to reply. "Just because."

That noise, though familiar is somewhat distressing and Gokudera looks apologetic before his collar lets out a painful jolt against his neck. The bomber claps a hand there, then gives a clearing of his throat as an act of dismissal.

“I’m sorry I was asleep for so long!” He bows quickly and deep, then looks up, obviously touched that his boss had bought them a cake and he hadn’t even been lucid enough to appreciate it.

“Isn’t Takeshi’s birthday coming up? We should get him a new one.” He offers.

Tsuna looks concerned for a moment, before brushing it off and waving his hand.

"It's fine. I'm just glad you're awake now," he says, allowing a smile. And he really is relieved. He wasn't sure what he would do if it lasted much longer, or who he could ask for help. Assuming it was some kind of magic.

But then something catches him and he looks confused.

"Uh, since when do you call Yamamoto "Takeshi"?"

Tsuna doesn't even call him that.

He wouldn’t be wrong to assume something like that, and Gokudera is happy to see that relief. He’s grateful he’s awake too, still feeling apologetic for making his boss worry.

The second Tsuna points out that Gokudera has used Yamamoto’s given name, his stomach drops. He’s no liar but... he is going to be carefully honest and selective with what he reveals.

“Oh that started on the last world I was in. The baseball idiot and I got on a first-name basis... I don’t think this is the same one, so it was just habit. I don’t want to make him uncomfortable. I’ll stop.” Ouch... yeah he better. For his own sake, at least.

The thing is, Tsuna really has no reason to disbelieve that. It is hard to believe on some level, with the way that Gokudera and Yamamoto bicker and argue, but at the same time, he could see them moving past it.

"Knowing Yamamoto, he probably won't mind one way or the other," Tsuna says with a bit of a laugh. If he even notices. "Was it just you and him on that other world? The one with Zuko?"

Gokudera isn’t trying to lie to his boss, but given what all he’s been through, he’s not exactly proud of the changes he’s gone through. It was a struggle to get close to Yamamoto after having met three or so versions of him. There’s a pessimistic part of his mind telling him that his boss will leave him, and that’s a very sinking feeling.

“Still, if I give him an inch, he’ll take a mile with the questions.” And then Gokudera will get caught up in his feelings and then lash out.

“No. I only ever met Zuko on this world. I was on a world called Amoi for two years, and then in Anchor when I last saw Yamamoto… so it was a few other people. But aside from Namimori, it’s been a given or first name basis most of the time…”

"That's probably true to..."

Still, Tsuna's eyes widen and he's quiet for a moment. Two years is a long time, especially when, to Tsuna, it's really only been a couple of weeks. And it's weird to think that there's a whole other Gokudera who ended up in the same world as Zuko. All of it is definitely out of Tsuna's reach and he's starting to feel a tad overwhelmed. He gives his head a shake to try and settle those thoughts.

"So, kind of like here then? With the names."

Gokudera nods. He’s glad that his reasoning isn’t being questioned further, considering he’s giving Yamamoto’s feelings a great deal more consideration than he usually would.

“You were on one of those worlds with me, but only for a short time...” and then he was gone and Gokudera was back to struggling against the system with no sense of direction to follow. All the Tenth had ever cared about was getting them home, and for Gokudera, it’s been too long. He’s beginning to think he’ll never go back to Namimori. He looks sad, and tired, but doesn’t want to overwhelm his boss with his own feelings. Seems like the Tenth is already struggling to accept what all Gokudera has just told him.

“Yeah. More of a western sort of style with the names, Tenth. But... it’ll be easier here and feel more like home if I go back to calling him Yamamoto or baseball idiot. Not like either of those are going to change.” And his tone is soft, affectionate. Yamamoto even at his smartest will always be an idiot to Gokudera. It’s just a nickname now.

Edited 2021-05-06 16:25 (UTC)

"I was...?" He doesn't have any memory of that, but given what he's learned, it's not out of the question. But there's a part of him that wishes he knew, if only so that he could be a better support to Gokudera. "I'm sorry. I don't remember if it was me, I'd probably wish I could have helped more."

And really, he does.

"If that's what you want. You should do what you think is best, Gokudera-kun. I know Yamamoto won't mind one way or another."

“Yeah...” he answers softly, voice a sigh as he nods, then blinks realization that his boss probably feels as sorry as he sounds and as his words convey. “N-no! Don’t be! I’m just happy to see you again, since it’s been such a long time!” He missed the Tenth dearly, and he’s honest when he approaches him, lifts a hand a little with the inclination to set it on Tsuna’s shoulder, then drops it. He’s still not very comfortable with touching, puts his hands together and worries the palm of one with the thumb of the other.

“Right,” he doesn’t sound like he believes that. For some reason, especially during their trip ten years in the future, Yamamoto came across as very invested in how Gokudera behaves. He hadn’t realized just how often the baseball idiot kept tabs on him, just wanting to be a good friend and trying to knock Gokudera’s walls down. He’s going to likely avoid the swordsman at all costs, be scarce most of the time because it’s just too much to deal with a baseball idiot he feel he doesn’t even know, or one that doesn’t really know him... and what he’s been through. He’d rather not share, and it’s his burden, his trauma to ~~struggle with~~ work through it so as not to become a hindrance to the Vongola.

He’ll do what he thinks is right, but is also just going to act on his fear because he doesn’t understand what even is right in the kind of situation he’s suddenly in.

There's a part of Tsuna that wants to reach out and take Gokudera's hand, do something to offer some form of physical comfort but seeing his hesitance, Tsuna holds back. Instead, he does his best to smile.

"And I'm really glad that you're back to. So, I guess we can go forward from there," he says. "Since we're here, now."

Eventually, they will return to Nanimori though, and Tsuna is adamant that it will be all of them, together. He doesn't like the thought of Gokudera being alone again.

“Right. What were we doing, then?” Gokudera asks, suddenly very awkward. He’s so used to having something to do, some mission to focus on, and now suddenly he’s been spun about.

He moves into their living area to have a seat, then gets right back up and moves to make them tea, looks around. Oh. Right. No Uri. Awww this awakening just got a note more sad.

“Did I miss anything important? Anyone you’ve met you want to tell me about?” Anyone Gokudera should gather details on?

Tsuna nods. That seems to be the best course of action. At least until they figure something more out.

He takes a few minutes to think about it before the thought suddenly comes into his head.

"Um, something happened last month, I think while you were asleep. Did you figure out your secondary type of magic?"

Obviously, Gokudera just woke up so the answer might be no, but it's still worth asking.

Edited 2021-05-10 01:54 (UTC)

Until Gokudera enlightens his boss on some of the more pressing issues he’s facing. He’s letting the tea steep, and his collar heats up, he moves his hands to it, not stopping the burn of pain rippling out because he can’t, but he’s unwinding something from the chain of his collar while he listens.

“I only know I have it but haven’t identified it. Here. I’ve been carrying this with me for a while.”

The tea won’t be ready for a few minutes. That’s enough time for him to approach his boss and hand him a ring. When Tsuna looks it over, he should recognize the first version of his Vongola sky ring won through their ring battles.

“It was in one of the worlds I was in. I…” how to maneuver the wording to not give too much away. “Bought it, but obviously, it’s not really mine and we can’t do anything with it, anyways.” Gokudera looks on at the ring, not knowing if there is something wrong with it.

"We can figure that out later," Tsuna continues, not wanting Gokudera to have the same experience he did in accidental magic. But further suggestion is put on hold when he's presented with the ring.

He takes it, looking at the original version with a bit of surprise. He's a little more used to the current version than the one on his finger. The changed version that came when Primo recognized him as Decimo. The previous one seems smaller, somehow, despite everything they went through to get it.

"It was just...there? Like in a shop?"

If people can travel through dimensions, it would make sense that objects could to. Especially if Gokudera met another him.

Gokudera gives a gentle hum and nod of agreement, then looks over his boss while he inspects the ring.

“Yes, but your weren’t around. It was a few months in on that first world, and I was looking for you. That’s all I could find.”

He can’t exactly mention his slavery. He’s pretty sure that works be another topic his boss likely doesn’t want to think about… probably won’t even consider something like that could have happened.

“Don’t wear it. It could get stuck or act odd. A lot of accessories in that place were rigged to… trap people.” Or mark them as property,

Tsuna almost drops the ring at that, before recovering and setting it on the table. There's a part of him that doesn't like that idea, that a Vongola ring would be used that way, but he'll set that thought aside for now. Now isn't really the time for deconstructing the complicated history of the Vongola. But a part of him is sad for Primo.

"Is there a way we could find out? I mean, I have...my...ring. Not that it works here so I don't need another."

What would happen with two sky rings? Probably a lot of trouble.

"I'll find some place safe to keep it for now."

Gokudera watches the Tenth set the ring down, and frowns at it. He hadn't meant to make it sound like he was offering his boss a trap, but now that he thinks about it, he has no idea how long that ring was on Amoi.

"People came and went all the time, Tenth. I don't remember any-" He stops talking and puts his hand in the pocket of his hoodie, feeling a fine powder of cherry blossom petals. His expression goes from curious and tired to legitimately heartbroken.

"No. That world I was in... I think it took people from their homes and used them to sustain the entire planet. I found that ring in the market of the slums. Meaning that you were there long before I ever showed up, and gone before then, too. Back when you would have had to make due... I don't imagine you would ever sell your Vongola ring, but maybe there was a version of you it was taken from?" Gokudera feels sick. Why didn't he ever consider that his boss could have been a mongrel?! Could have been abducted and stripped for parts, for organs like they'd tried to do to Gokudera?!

"I'll keep holding onto it. Don't worry, no one can remove it without either of us knowing." And he reaches to take up the ring and attack it to the collar on his neck. It blinks beneath the leather as he shifts the ring onto the chain.

"It's only fair I've been holding onto it for so long! It shouldn't be a burden to you!" He smiles. Anyways, if this ring is cursed or would act as a malfunctioning pet ring the same way Gokudera's collar is, he's not taking any chances.

"I hope that version of me was able to make it out alright."

It's weird to think about, weird to even consider and Tsuna's having a bit of a difficult time with that. He suddenly feels very small as the universe keeps getting bigger.

But he manages a small smile at Gokudera's offer.

"I'll leave it with you then. If I can trust anyone with that ring, it's you, Gokudera-kun."

Even though he's still uncomfortable with the ring and what it stands for, it's an important object that they probably should hang on to. Even if it can't be properly activated or if it's trapped or enchanted or whatever, he's not about to let it fall into the wrong hands. And he knows that Gokudera understands that gravity.

"Yeah... he did..." If not that version, than the next one that showed up that Gokudera got to meet. He was happy while the Tenth was around, even though it wasn't for very long. And then he was alone again.

"Right." A nod. If he had to figure any guess, the ring falling into the wrong hands would be fine if it were a trap. Serves anyone right for trying to take it. If they did, they'd likely become Gokudera's pet. He doesn't want to do that to anyone, but... he is cruel enough to make them realize their mistake before freeing them.

Tsuna nods as well, not sure of what else to say. He's got a lot to think about and while he feels like there's more to all this, he doesn't want to push Gokudera much further. Gokudera did just wake up after all. Any more questions feels like a lot to ask.

Save for one.

"I guess...I should have asked earlier. Are you hungry? Or do you need anything?"

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