isleofavalon | [closed] light us up until we pop I wanna burn bright until we're not

[Izuku will fumble for a moment before ordering something simple like a matcha green tea. Something mild and sweet enough to taste and keep his hands warm.

He might peek just a little at Gokudera's hand curiously before looking down at his shoes. Still those red sneakers even in the winter snow.]

It will be good to be able to enjoy things like you used to again. I think sometimes I might take that sort of thing for granted.

[He's really happy for his friend. He is. Even if there is still an edge of concern in Izuku's eyes. Maybe he can ask...]

You should focus on healing up and taking care of yourself. I think it was a relief for Uraraka-san that everything turned out fine too.

[Gokudera wasn’t exactly picking apart Midoriya’s style choices, but watching the way his eyes move from his hands to his feet… those shoes are not really the best for the season. Greenie might find snow shoes anonymously gifted to him at a later date.]

I did. I won’t anymore.

[Take all the little things about his life for granted, even the most minor of conveniences. He will appreciate himself as much as the grass growing outside. It’s real and he is incredibly grateful.]

I am. Healing takes time.

[There’s stress making it more difficult, as it always does, but Gokudera doesn’t know if he should bring up what is going on with him, Aurora, and Zuko. That’s… personal. Midoriya isn’t that close with Gokudera, is he?]

[If Izuku finds himself with anonymously gifted snow shoes he'll be flattered and flustered and totally over the moon. But he loves his red sneakers! They're limited edition-]

If- [... Well, he certainly thinks they're friends! That's why Izuku asks,] If you're up for it... We should hang out like this more often.

[His cheeks get a little red from embarrassment.]

[Limited edition is cool and all, but also having warm and healthy feet is important. Midoriya should take care of himself.

Gokudera looks on at the red cheeks and squints at those words, looks away, mulls them over with a frown.]

Alright. But let’s start with right now, yeah?

[He needs a smoke. Gokudera feels stressed out suddenly, and the tension is very clear.]

[Warm feet in the winter is so, SO important. Izuku needs to take better care of himself, it's true. Maybe that's why Katsuki nags about little things...]

Eh- That's right...! I hear they're building ice sculptures in the center of town. Have you ever done something like that?

[Wanna go check it out???]

[Good thing Midoriya has people looking out for him. Gokudera will do his best to help.]

Ice sculptures?

[Gokudera hasn’t been out very much. Only as often as he needs to for his leopard, and even then, he can make grocery trips early and stock up, then ration out food he needs. His familiar and his pet eat before him, though. So… not getting out much. Just accompanying his boss to and from school, then usually settling down at home to try and conserve his energy.]

I haven’t. Did you want to see them?

[Well it is time for the both of them to get some fresh air today then! Even in the breezy chilly air.]

No, I haven't! We should go see them... I heard they're incredible. Even some of them in the shape of mythical creatures.

[He's such a nerd but he wants to see how intricate they are. And maybe try making his own? So, Izuku might lead the way back outside if Gokudera agrees!]

[Usually the time spent indoors is studying and weapon maintenance. Getting fresh air is a nice change of pace, and Midoriya is easy to be around, except for the whole hiding-that-he's-in-the-mafia thing.]

What sort of mythical creatures?

[Gokudera gets up, pulls his winter coat a little closer to him, makes certain it's fastened, and pockets his hands so they won't suffer the cold (good thing the Tenth will be getting him a scarf and mittens).]

Do you think there are fairy sculptures?

[Even if they look strange and not like fairies at all, he's very interested. Most his interactions with Midoriya have had some level of fairy or pixie involvement. Clearly, Gokudera is a bit of an... enthusiast with magical creatures. He used to stay up late, leave treats for the Brownies and little gifts. Having his own little home is nice, but he does miss the company of living in the hotel.

It's just not easy to contain Larry and a leopard in one room.]

[Izuku has started to think that maybe he has some sort of affinity to fairies and pixies too. He always seems to get caught up with them. Be it saving them or getting them stuck in his hair because he can't stop blushing... It's a real thing and he's been wondering about it.]

Ah, maybe! If there aren't I wonder if we'd be able to make one ourselves? I want to see what they have, too. Centaurs or golems or giant birds?

[It's still chilly outside so Izuku makes sure to keep his jacket close. Into the winter air and sunshine outside. The main square isn't too far away so the walk will be short. But when they get closer they'll indeed see some figures made out of pure ice there.]

[Gokudera never would have put together that Midoriya’s blush appeals to fairies. They did seem really focused on his hair, though. And as little people living wild and magical, he couldn’t help but to be fascinated by them.]

Oh no, I’m not very artistic.

[Creative, definitely, but he struggles a lot at creating anything that isn’t a weapon with his hands.]

But we can see what they’ve got.

[And he should have expected to see ice figures, but wonders how much magic went into making them, or preserving them. The weather is cold, sure, but he’s never actually seen ice sculptures before. Maybe once on the cruise ship he’d stowed away in that one time the Tenth went to Mafialand.]

[It's almost like they've never seen green hair before. But naturally forest green hair isn't exactly common in this place. ~~or outside of anime~~]

I'm not... I'm not that artistic either. I couldn't make the crafts you have to make in school as a kid very well. But I tried...?

[So they can try here too! The display is amazing to see there must have been a lot of work and magic that went into these sculptures. The one that catches Izuku's eye first is one of a large wolf-like creature.]

Wha... It's so detailed...!!

[From one shounen jump character to another, why isn’t it common? What even is normal?!

I didn’t go to school until I was around fourteen. Mostly, I just had personal instructors.

[He missed out on so many crafts.][Gokudera takes out his device, and starts taking pictures. He’s no photographer, but it’ll be nice to save these memories.]

Say ‘Happy Holidays,’ Greenie~

Wha, personal instructors? That's incredible...

[Was Gokudera a rich kid too? Izuku was so middle-class it was a shock to even go to a prestigious high school thanks to his entrance exams, but wow!

He then perks up and quickly smiles for Gokudera's device putting up a V sign as he poses stiffly with the wolf statue. Hopefully he doesn't look too awkward!]

Happy Holidays!

Far from it, actually.

[He spent a good five to six years living on the streets so, not really a rich kid. Maybe if he’d never ran away, that would all be different.

Midoriya does look awkward, but it’s actually really cute.]

Ah, thanks! [And then he’s sending it to Midoriya’s device so he can have a copy of it.]

It’s almost life-size next to you…

Was it difficult for you, Gokudera?

[He can't help the awkward smile to go along with it! But checking the picture he nods sheepishly. He kind of likes it.]

Ah! Let me take a picture of you with the wolf as well!

[Should he lie? Just drop this topic of conversation? Gokudera hums and keeps looking through his pictures.]

I ran away from home when I was little, so… in a way, it was. But it got better.

[He looks at the statue and frowns, then shakes his head. Gokudera would rather pose in front of a different sculpture.]

Maybe with a different one.

Ran away?

[Oh- that's exactly the opposite of what he first thought. That's not awkward at all! Izuku, you suck-!

He quickly shakes his head sheepishly and points out the other statures. There's a griffon, a centaur or a unicorn!]

Which one would you like to take a picture with? Ah- Let's take one together, too!

Yeah. Exactly how it sounds.

[It’s really not a cheerful topic, but it is relevant. Needless to say, he didn’t have a typical education. No class setting until he was introduced in the series trying to kill Tsuna. Because… that’s how he makes his best friends… through violence.

There’s been a lot of character development since then, though.]

Maybe the unicorn…

[And he’s moving over to the sculpture, feeling like it’s a bit ironic how very far from a virgin he is… not that this is a real unicorn. This is just humorous to him, and he’s pulling his outfit to sit a bit better on him, but levels Midoriya with a calm expression. He won’t be posing, but his short stint as a fashion model in Avalon means that he’ll be standing relaxed, waiting.]

Hang on-

[Got to get his good side on camera, and that includes hiding his scarred neck and his hand.]

Get on my left.

[Yeah... He might ask more about that in a little while... But first- a light-hearted photo together.

He nods and shuffles around to the left side. The unicorn sculpture in the back is majestic as ever in the sunlight. Then he holds up his device for a selfie together, bringing himself close for it!]

Ah- Yeah, that will work! Smile!

[Well, he doesn't really have to. Izuku is going to smile, though! Click!]

[Gokudera is actually a really big fan of unicorns. They’re cool, okay? Totally different aesthetic than what most would assume. He isn’t going to talk about his past so much unless Midoriya is asking, and sidles up a little closer when the device comes out for the selfie.

He’s not smiling, but he isn’t frowning, either. Just… relaxed.]

[Selfie time will be a little more of a priority at the moment. Izuku wouldn't mind keeping a memory of this too. Plus, he thinks all the sculptures are amazing! Unicorns included!

He takes a step back once the photo is taken and admires it with a smile!]

Thank you, Gokudera! It looks good.

[The other isn't smiling but he looks relaxed and Izuku is grateful for that.]

[Gokudera had taken few selfies in his life, and had only ever really smiled if it was for the Tenth. There are a few people in Avalon he might also smile for on camera, but for the most part, he likes his emotional inaccessibility in photographs.

He glances at the picture when they’re done and then turns to admire the unicorn closer.]

I’ve ridden a real one before.

[Well… not entirely real, because he’s sure most everything he went through on Amoi wasn’t real.]

A Pegasus, too…

[It's no worry for Izuku, it isn't anything different than Katsuki scowling or being neutral in school pictures.]

Eh? A pegasus too...? I helped an injured unicorn colt in the woods once before... Its mother carried me and a friend to a safe area to help it...

[Unicorns are pretty amazing. He still can't really wrap his brain around it that it actually happened.]

[Gokudera has not connected the dots that this Katsuki or Kacchan is the same person as Bakugou/Dusty. Who knows when he eventually will?]

Yeah, on one of the worlds I was on, there was a demigod I knew, and he had a Pegasus named Blackjack. You met the unicorn here, or was that elsewhere?

[Meanwhile in another thread...............

Izuku looks surprised! He nods.]

Wa... Right, I met a unicorn family here. There were in danger of poachers but I managed to get them arrested.

[Like a hero!]

What was it like seeing a real pegasus...?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject