isleofavalon | May catch-all

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May catch-all

🧙 WHO: Gokudera and absolutely anyone
⚔️️ WHAT: Mid-May catch all (training and other stuff that comes up)
🕒 WHEN: Mid... May? Before the event
🗺️ WHERE: Multiple places
⚠️ WARNINGS: violence, mentions of past sexual slavery, language

A. Training Grounds

Larry is sitting out in the middle of the training field, blowing bubbles to contain lit sticks of dynamite Gokudera is throwing into the air. Gokudera has discovered he has elemental magic and is working on what he can with wind, trying to push the bubble back towards his familiar, or up safely away from them both. He’s not successfully done either, and has just been creating useless gusts. The dynamite explodes in the bubble, the bubble pops, and knocks him down. This is getting very very tiresome, and his gusts don’t seem to be getting any stronger or going where he thinks he’s aiming them.

“Fuck... why isn’t it working?” He glares and pushes himself back up.

B. The Red Spring

No new arrivals from Namimori, it seems. Gokudera had spent the day watching new arrivals climb the cliff, wondering if he’d see someone from home. The journey back had been familiar and helped somewhat to clear his mind. But he’s been looking forward to bathing in the Red Spring. He feels partially new to Avalon after his reawakening, gone for years, and his body aged and scarred, when he’d apparently never left Camelot. Anyone who recognizes Gokudera from last month or any time prior will see the difference. Those who responded to his network post will already understand. But for those who have never met him, he’s acting very much like a new arrival.

The teenager lowers into the spring, the trunks he’s wearing keep him decent, but there is nothing to hide the vivid burn scars and long tally-marks down his back. There’s a black leather half-choke collar about his neck, and occasionally, there is a glow from beneath it, against the skin of his neck that looks like it’s burned many times over. Despite the fact that there is electricity attached to his neck, he fully submerges for a moment, then surfaces and decides he’ll play with the more illusory side of his light magic.

If you are unlucky enough to be anywhere near him, he’ll walk right up and offer you his entire left arm. It’s not real. It’s a smoke bomb, a prank, but hey, as far as your character should be able to tell, he just took off his arm and is handing it to you.

“Hey can you watch this for me? Thanks.” And then he’ll be getting out of the water so his familiar can be amused.

C. Wildcard! Seriously. Do whatever.

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[... It's so sad.

Izuku kneels down so he can fix up some of the structure around the nest. Hands neatly working on it with Alchemy. Seems Izuku's getting better at this and quickly.]

M-maybe it is... I think it would be enough for me if that happened to me...

[Gokudera looks on at the picture he's made, watches as Midoriya improves the structures with his magic. He smiles softly, then takes a deep breath of the air around them.]

I'm very grateful for where I am, even if I am sad. It's better being here and focusing on that. Soothing to appreciate what I have rather than what I've lost. Besides, it's not like he's gone... just... still an idiot.

[He says this with obvious affection, then leans back until he's lying down, staring up at the sky.]

[Izuku looks up and watches as Gokudera lays down. Some of the grass flutters up into the air getting carried away by the wind. Izuku decides to sit nearby, reaching up to touch at the flowers getting weaved into his hair.]

I think... there's something important to remember in everything that happens to us. And at least some things haven't changed?

[Good that this special someone is spoken about so fondly. He must be a good idiot.]

[Only the best idiot. Kind, stubborn, and dependable. Gokudera would give up the entire world to keep him safe. So for now he will happily accept his happiness even if he isn't responsible for it.]

That's very wise.

[He settles, looking comfortable enough to take a nap, until there is a flower dropped right onto his face. Gokudera turns his head, wipes at his face, but doesn't open his eyes or object. Some of the fairies giggle and then they're dropping independent petals on him. Gokudera blinks his eyes open.]

Are you happier on this world than the last, Midoriya?

[Gokudera is a good and kind person, after all...!

Now that they're sitting here in the open grass and flowers, letting the pixies do what they wish Izuku feels oddly relaxed. Although the following question has Izuku looking down to twiddle some of the grass in his fingers into a twist.]

I think I am. I mean- I'm worried about home all the time but there's something peaceful about this place. And I think I've learned a lot about myself. [He likes it here... The last world? He laughs sheepishly.] The last world I was in was always dark, it wasn't a great place. I'm glad I'm not there anymore.

[He is, and a lot more accepting of it now that he's been through... as much as he has. The worlds he was on felt so dead that he's almost having the most euphoric experience just... lying down in the grass, staring up at the sky.]

Don't worry about home. Trust me, it'll be just the way you left it and in the same spot you left it.

Hmm? You learned a lot about yourself? In what ways? [Gokudera wonders if he's learned more about himself, hasn't really reflected on some of the positives like that as much as he should.]

Yeah. Me too. [He'd say he's happy Midoriya is here, but that'd just be too sappy, even if it is true. He seems like a nice guy.]

[He looks at Gokudera and smiles for that. Knowing that home is going to be alright until he gets back is...]

That's good to know, I think that helps.

[He then blushes just slightly as he gives a sheepish shrug. Still twiddling with that little piece of grass in his fingers.]

People used to say I was way too reckless for my own good, charging into things... [He laughs.] I think being here has helped me realize I need to work on things like that. So I don't worry the people important to me. That and... Getting a chance to learn something like magic that's all my own has been amazing. I never had anything that was just... mine from the start.

[He looks at his hands. He really likes his alchemy magic. And he's getting there with his blood magic too.]

Maybe that's a good thing about having jumped from world to world. Just the experiences?

Mnn. Avalon will seem little more than a dream.

What an easy way of putting it. [Gokudera watches the clouds drift in the sky above them and wonders if he's learned anything about himself. He knows he's changed. Maybe for the better?]

I time-traveled in my own world, and I learned a lot there, and I think that changed me. But... these other worlds. Amoi... It feels like I was back at square one. [He used to feel inadequate, had a pretty bad inferiority complex, and would lash out regularly at anyone who ever wanted to be a friend or just... be around him. That world separated him, put him in a caste away from his family and made it illegal for him to be around them. He was a mongrel and they were Elite and he was not only angry, but left feeling not good enough.

This world has taken his powers from him, and he's not very thrilled with the magic he has now, but it's better than being in the same sort of situations Amoi regularly put him in. He closes his eyes, brows furrowed. It's depressing to think about.]

The perspective helps. The powers I had back home traded for a place like this, that's peaceful most of the time... I'll take it, I guess.

A dream...

[He does hope that when he does manage to go home that he'll be able to hold onto at least some of his experiences here. Some of the growth and the feelings he's gone through in this place have really set some heavy memories into his heart. He wonders if that'll change... That makes him feel strange.

But he smiles anyway, looking at Gokudera with a small nod.]

Was it frustrating starting over? Or being in worlds that weren't as peaceful as this one... [...] I'll take the peace too, I think.

[The question provokes a lot of thought, and Gokudera takes a deep breath as he considers his answer. Answering that question would mean sharing what those other worlds were like. He's already communicated that they were awful, but... how so, he said was not something to take lightly.

Gokudera sits up, eyes open, and looks on at that smile. He hums and decides he can share more. He's told enough people about the circumstances he was in. As long as Midoriya knows to not tell anyone, it should be fine.]

Was it frustrating starting over? No. But... I feel like I've changed too much for anything to go back to normal. I'm stuck with this [He points to the collar on his neck, which just looks like an odd fashion choice.] until I can get my owner to remove it, and it regularly causes me pain, making daily life here more difficult. I'm essentially a freed slave, and the work I do now treats me well. The people I care for are safe and well. This world, even if it can be full of danger, is nothing compared to the last two I was on. I was killed in the last world I was on.

I came back, but the circumstances surrounding my death are... understandably something difficult to move past. It is especially difficult because neither my boss or my fiancé will talk to me about any of it.

So I'm quiet around them and I get to live out these days in Avalon pretending none of it has ever happened.

I'm happy to be here. I should probably get a few potions to deal with the things I can't move past. [Like something to help him sleep, something to numb the pain his collar signals through him, maybe something to get rid of the vivid scarring all over his back from self immolation during a zombie invasion.]

I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't tell anyone.

Ah...?

[It's a lot to take in. Izuku goes through a lot of thoughts when Gokudera explains. Realizing the heaviness that Gokudera carries with him explains a few things that he's noticed. The collar in particular is...

He starts off with a small stutter but slowly, with one thing at a time.]

Th-There's no way to remove the collar now? Even without whoever put it on? ... I have alchemy- maybe I could try. Wearing something like that? I can't imagine it...

[Being a slave? Worlds like that? Unfortunately, Izuku can't say he's surprised. It's harrowing but he knows in this strange new multiverse that yeah- things can be awful.]

I won't tell anyone, Gokudera-san. But... Maybe talking to someone about everything that happened would help you out. Maybe talking would help you figure out and move past those memories the right way.

The last world I was in... We were trapped there, we had to go through a lot of horrific things. I had to watch friends being hunted down, demons in the walls... Things like- that.

[It doesn't compare to what the other has gone through, but he wonders if it would be a mild relatable comfort.]

It helped to have my friend close. We were both there. He's here too, and ... I don't think any of my other friends realize what we had to deal with there.

[Gokudera shakes his head at the mention of removing his collar. If only it were that simple and if only they could try. He's left out that his owner is his clueless fiancé he's pining after. If he could get the courage to approach him about it, things would be easier.]

Tampering or any attempts to remove it will sever the limb it is attached to. [He moves to hook his fingers in the chain of his half choke collar. Gokudera gives it a sharp tug and then continues to pull it until there's a bit of light beneath the leather and it starts to burn and tighten. He lets it go with a soft hiss.]

I've talked to a few people. I've had technomancers look at the collar, and it's much too advanced and... I'm sure that there are some uh modifications to my body along with it. I may need potions to deal with the pain, and I've been taking what I can to sleep.

But the memories... [He considers it. It's not easy to find a therapist in New Camelot. So many people are concerned with their own problems, anyways, and no one has made any offers for talking through trauma. His specifically... is hard to bring up since he doesn't want to disturb the Tenth.]

What friend is that? [Someone to look out for, to help protect the same way he wants to look out for Midoriya. It's the least he can do to repay him for listening to him and helping him out with the faeries.]

[Izuku looks down with a bit of a frustrated expression. His hands clenching tightly. He wishes he could help Gokudera with the collar. It seems like an incredibly unfair and unjust thing to deal with constantly. No one should be a slave or be forced to carry a collar and the memories of it. He dislikes this.]

I- ... I see. There has to be some way to at least alleviate the pain. I'm sure we could find some appropriate potions in town.

[He looks up again. He'd be more than willing to talk with Gokudera about his past but Izuku isn't a therapist. He would be worried about hurting Gokudera. Even if he wants to help.]

It's my classmate Kacchan- Bakugou Katsuki. I'm not sure he'd talk much about what happened to us either but... It's comforting to know I'm not alone. That's why I think it's important to talk to someone...

[Gokudera would be more upset with it, but he isn't His suffering is his own problem. It was his choice to keep it on when he could have had it taken off. It's what will come to light when it is removed that he's avoiding. For now, he just has to deal with the pulses it puts through him as best he can. Only if it endangers his boss, or compromises how he can be the best right-hand man to his boss will he consider having it removed by his completely clueless owner.]

Yeah. There probably is.

[No one can hurt Gokudera like Gokudera. Just listening is comforting enough. But now Midoriya knows and this isn't something that either of them will have to tip-toe around.]

Mnn...

[He has no one in this world like that. He is alone. Gokudera hopes anyone he knew on that world is back safely in their home worlds now.]

[There's a small moment of gentle silene that seems to stretch there just then. Just the sound of rustling wind and little pixies that are busy playing around in the wildflowers with small little giggles or coos.

Izuku wonders what would have happened if he had stayed in his previous world for longer. Or if he didn't have Katsuki to ground him from everything that did happen...

Eventually, he picks some wildflowers and starts to fiddle with them. Attempting to make... something? A crown? Or a necklace?]

In this place... We can pick what we want to do. Like... making...flower crowns! If I can get the stems to tie correctly... Hnn...!

[He's not very good at this.]

[Gokudera is busy thinking about the version of his fiance in this world and whether or not he actually should approach him about their relationship. Yamamoto is oblivious, but he wouldn't want the bomber to be in pain dwelling on this. He'd feel guilty, like he is personally hurting Gokudera by just... being himself. Ultimately, Gokudera is hurting himself by dwelling and hanging onto it all.

He wishes he could forget instead of having the burdens of expectations towards his fellow Guardian. He could approach him... but how?

Honesty will work, but then, it may not resolve anything, and may actually lead to conflict. Gokudera feels incredibly delicate, which irritates him. He glances over as Midoriya is weaving flowers, then gives a gentle huff. He reaches a hand out.]

I'll show you if you want...

[Still so busy policing himself that he's careful not to touch, anticipates that the other boy will drop his work-in-progress into his palm.]

[If Izuku were in the same position he would absolutely be having the same sort of conflictions in his head. To approach that dear person or not or leave them be... It would be hard. If it were Katsuki he's not sure what he'd do. It's so complicated...

He does give the other a soft somewhat sheepish smile and nod. At least for a moment they can focus on something simple while they sort out their thoughts.]

Yeah, if you could I'd like the help.

[He does hand over the flowers that he's trying to tie together so far. But he isn't as super careful as Gokudera is at the touch, their fingers brushing gently as he does so.]

I just need to remember that I'm free. Habits... the ones I've picked up are hard to break.

[The PTSD is real. Gokudera accepts the work-in-progress crown and then moves a little closer to show Midoriya how he makes them. He uses his fingernail to cut a small slit in the stem, then take the stem of another flower and pulls it through until it can't go any further.]

You keep going until it is as long as you want. If you want it to be fuller, you can make it extra long and wrap it so it will be more flower-to-chain, see? I'm not sure how to make the end connect to finish it off, though...

[Izuku's expression softens and he looks down at the work Gokudera does.]

Habits are harder to break than they are to make them. Yeah. I think taking it one day at a time and letting yourself learn who you are again is good. I'm glad you're here, Gokudera-san.

[He thinks that Avalon is probably a safe enough place for him to do that.]

I guess it's a bit like learning something like this. Keep going, even if you don't know where the end is?

[He smiles sheepishly. Then he reaches out to tuck a few more blooms into the crown to make it fuller.]

Eventually, it'll be a good crown.

[Eventually, things will get better.]

[Gokudera keeps making the chain longer as he listens, then gives a little scoff and a hint of a smile.]

Please, you hardly know me.

[But he knows enough.]

It's good you're around, too.

[He means to thank Midoriya, but instead offers the longer-than-functional crown over to his friend. There are some faeries ooing and awing over it.]

[There is a small sweatdrop but Izuku smiles and nods.]

Ahhah... You said that to me once before too.

[But he still means it, that it's nice getting to know Gokudera!]

Thanks.

[The faeries are the ones who take the crown and then try to put it on Izuku's head. With the green hair it looks pretty appropriate.]

Does it look ... okay?

Well, it's the truth.

[A soft sigh and a moment where he reflects on apologizing.]

But how could you when we haven't gotten to know each other? I suppose you know more about now than before. Is it something you'd like to keep happening?

[Gokudera turns his eyes on that crown and then follows the green of the chain through hair and to Midoriya's face. There's a half second where he stares too long, then bows his head some. It's really hard to control himself and everything that was once so typical. It makes a nice interaction like this into something he will reflect and over-analyze later.]

Y-yeah... it's good.

[Very good, Midoriya. Gokudera would even say he looks 'cute'.]

[Izuku is looking up at the faeries start to pluck and adjust at his hair. The green locks coming out in curly spikes through the flower crown which makes it look pretty good! He really looks like a potted plant now. He doesn't quite notice the moment that Gokudera looks but he glances at him and feels himself smiling, a little shy about it.]

Yeah, I would like to get to know more about you, Gokudera-san. I wouldn't mind that. There's not many things that are interesting about me, but... I wouldn't mind talking to you more often.

[One of the fairies settles in his hair like a throne and giggles with a note of music at Gokudera's unsaid words.]

I owe you one for helping me with the crown, then.

I'm sure there's plenty that's interesting... [Even if they aren't about Midoriya, it helps to know aspirations of the people he interacts with... What their home worlds are like, things they want to accomplish on Avalon.]

You don't. I didn't even know how to finish it.

[He looks at that giggling fairy and his face blushes some. There's something about the fae that put him on edge, but he's not upset.]

Do you usually follow quests in this world? Are you hoping to become a knight, or is it just more a means for income?

[He reaches up to fiddle with the flower crown, setting it to sit better so it doesn't fall off.]

It's really not that bad...!

[He shrugs quickly and then wonders...]

Ah- Yeah, I've been working on quests for a few months now. It's a lot like working at work studies back home so I don't mind the work. I want to get a knighthood-!

[Okay, he might be a little sparkly at the idea. He really wants to be a knight. How cool is that? Now he's going to sound like a nerd-]

Being a knight would be a lot like being a hero too- I want to do my part to help Camelot...!

May catch-all

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cw: mentions of slavery and graphic character death

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