redmarsshit | june 2020. welcome to the void.

june 2020. welcome to the void.

Redshift: Welcome to the v͖͕̺̲̘̱̜͎o̴̦̣̠̦̘̹͞i̯̖d̛̪̬͈̱̦̝͍̕.

▶ Click here to read what characters will experience when arriving in Anchor.

▶ All TDM threads can be considered game canon, and current players are welcome to either top-level on the TDM so prospective players can tag them, or use the prompts for logs or network posts on the communities. All threads on the TDM can be used for Activity Check.

a. welcome to paradise.

What at first appears to be an odd glint in the sky over Anchor slowly broadens and brightens into a truly enormous...cruise ship? Yes, that's a cruise ship, and it's coming down to rest just outside of Anchor's exit doors. The ground shakes as it lands. A bubble forms over the ship and connects to Anchor's exit, and there's no two ways about it: the ship comes with its own radiation shield.

This sucker puts the Titanic to shame. Nearly as long as Anchor is wide, it's more like a floating city than the cruise ship it resembles. Little satellite ships hover and dart around it, occupied by alien lifeforms with too many arms to quite fit the Hawaiian print shirts that they're wearing.

The Daisy Darling Interdimensional Cruise Barge has come to Anchor.

b. anchors away!

And it's quite accessible to residents of Anchor. In fact, the people (of every shape, size, and coloration that can't be considered human) on board will be delighted to host the creatures they've been watching for the past few months as they orbited the planet. Not only will Anchorites find themselves accosted for photos, but they can also find figurines, keychains, and small novelty items of themselves in almost every knick-knack store on the promenade deck. The souvenir shops will also come heavily stocked with red shift-themed items, including toys and decorations featuring some of the monsters that have appeared from the wastes. You always wanted a slinky sand worm, didn't you?

Anyone who can sing, dance, play music, or otherwise perform will be encouraged to do so and showered with gifts - both useful and useless - by the vacationers. Have an instrument, or a good voice? Go busking! Sell your art, give lectures about your home worlds, teach salsa dancing. The vacationers are just waiting to give you money for helping them have a good time.

There's an alien casino, with machines both familiar and very very not. It's a rollicking place with neon signs, free-flowing drinks, and even more free-flowing money. You might not have any use for alien currency in Anchor itself, but it couldn't hurt to check out the shops with a little extra cash from the poker tables, could it? At one side is an all-you-can-eat buffet of everything under the sun, from alien fruit and vegetable platters to...is that a whole giant squid? I never knew they came in quite that color...

You can sneak around the casino without too much effort, stealing from pockets, tables, and platters, but that could get you caught and thrown in the brig, which. Well. We'll get to that, but you don't really want to go there.

The uppermost level of the ship is a beach and water park. There's sand, palm trees, a wave pool, water slides, and a lazy river with inner tubes big enough to support even the heftiest alien. Oh, and a regular old pool, over there. Where all the old aliens are hanging out and playing hover-shuffle-board. Swimming gear is required in this area, but not to worry! There’s an automated booth that will supply you with just the suit you need.

In addition to these places, there's a whole ship to explore, with all the amenities a weary traveler could want. A spa (manned by real (alien) people!), jacuzzis, restaurants that actually function with food the bold can actually eat, clothing stores (though not much of it is designed with humans in mind), deck chairs on sunny promenades, gardens full of alien flowers, and an enormous library filled with books that are checked out based on the honor system. So, y'know. Be honorable. Or something.

c. the first rule of daisy darling.

For those unentertained by the above-board offerings of the upper decks, there's the ship’s more hidden amenities. A fight club filled with creatures of every shape, size, and level of power. A drug den with everything from euphoria-inducing cigarettes to hallucination-causing body paints. A thriving black market, though the offerings are comparatively innocent - bootlegged episodes of Anchors Away, mostly. What's that? Oh, just the reality show of your lives over the past six months. Let's hope no one comes across any awkward vids showing things you don't want people to know about.

Attached to the fight club is the brig. Can you see where this is going? People who get caught breaking the rules on the Daisy Darling can expect to face the music by being put opposite some of the ships more powerful monsters, or its more powerful and reckless vacationers. Who wouldn't love to test themselves against a giant robot or an honest-to-god cowboy? Don't worry! If you get too badly hurt, there's a repair suite on the medical level that can fix up almost any injury. Just don't die before you get there.

If anyone asks about staying on board, escaping the planet with the ship, or tries to convince an alien to help them stow away, they'll be told it goes against both the prime directive and the Daisy's petting zoo rules. Try to stow away on your own? Well, if you're lucky, you'll get caught by a benevolent guard and booted back to Anchor. If you're unlucky, get those boxing gloves ready, because you're headed for the brig.

d. the network.

Need to get hold of someone, call for help, ask the city at large a question? Need to ask a friend to back you up and tag team in the fight club? Maybe you need to hold your sat phone up to whatever crazy thing you're seeing and send out a recording to double-check if your eyes are deceiving you and what you're looking at is real?

Whatever the reason, the network is going strong, so feel free to include a post to it in your top-levels.

Navigation.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Nothing can always be smooth sailing but for the moment they seem to be making it work. It is amazing how resilient the Guardians are. Not just Gokudera and Yamamoto but the entire group. No matter how many times they get knocked down they all get up together.

As he takes a bit of the onigiri Yamamoto nods "We even have it at my house sometimes but this is different." The spaghetti is good but there are other foods on the plate that are working better to ease some of his homesickness. " Did you eat it a lot in Italy?"

He does not mind talking at all, in fact, he will be glad to hold up his own end of the conversation as he holds the second milk out to Gokudera "Here, you should drink more milk." Yamamoto flashes a grin, then picks up a piece of sushi. Savoring it despite the fact that his dad's melts in the mouth way more than this. In his opinion at least, he may be spoiled with good food at home.

It may be a strange world, he may be bruised and banged up. What the future holds here may be a complete unknown. But the moment he is living right now, this is okay, this feels as close to home as a person could expect on a strange planet.

A good plate of food and a friend, who now seems to be more comfortable in himself. The Rain can almost feel the battlefield clearing. The sun will start to shine before they know it.

"Red fried noodles..." Gokudera says and looks down at his spaghetti. "Heh... The spaghetti is boiled and the sauce can be fried, I guess." What a Japanese way to approach spaghetti. It's enough to make hi chuckle. Gokudera can't feel too homesick when it comes to food, as he's never really had a great relationship with it. Thanks, Bianchi. "Hmm. I'm sure I did." All food is comfort food if it isn't poisonous.

Gokudera blinks at the milk carton, completely caught off guard. He's smirking and sets it down. Wow when was the last time he's heard something like that? There's an odd affectionate way he stares at it, and realizes that he missed Yamamoto.

"Thanks." And he opens the milk, placing a straw in it, and taking a drink. "That's milk alright." What else is he supposed to say? Gokudera's not a huge fan, but hey, if it makes the other happy... why not?

"That's what we called them in my house when I was a kid." Yeah, still oblivious to the fact that he called the spaghetti that when he first saw it. Yamamoto had not considered that Gokudera had been so young he may not remember things like what food he ate. After all, he has been on his own for a long time. True, while not a picky eater Yamamoto would prefer to not eat Bianchi's cooking. It never looks quite right.

"You're welcome" He is sipping his own as soon as he says it, smiling around the straw as dark eyes take in his surroundings. If a carton of milk brings that look to his friend's face he may have to offer it more often. Not that he doesn't anyway, he is a firm believer in the benefits of milk!

It was good, good enough it makes Yamamoto laugh. "Yes, it's good for you." He flashes a thumbs-up, taking another bite before he speaks again.

"Do you think this place is here all the time?" His curiosity about their new home sparking now that his stomach is getting full.

"It wasn't in the video." It sure would be nice if it was, they could make good use of the buffet and the beach in Yamamoto's opinion.

"Spaghetti is the pasta, you know...? Not the sauce. You could just have it alone, as there is no frying to it." He's still eating, chewing while he thinks and making sure to have good manners. He may not be a formal eater, but he's self-conscious. "It'd be like referring to all soba as yakisoba! Ah!" Gokudera gestures to his spaghetti. "Tomato soba!" He chuckles again. It's fun to mix up the cultures and their different foods.

He glances over his shoulder. Damn... he should have grabbed an onigiri for himself.

"You say that, but it doesn't make me feel any better." Gokudera goes back to his milk. "Actually makes me feel sleepy most of the time." There had been a time when he had first ever met Yamamoto, that the baseball idiot had told him calcium would help with his irritability, or... something like that.

"Hm? This ship? No... but I hope it comes back often." He definitely was fond of some of those aliens that greeted him. Gokudera wonders if there is a piano anywhere in Anchor he could practice in private. Back home, he had a keyboard in his room, and on Amoi, he'd had to get lucky enough to be allowed to play in bars. Ex-pets had a hard time finding jobs.

"I get the feeling that video hasn't been updated in a while." Duh. Why else would Anchor seem so overgrown and locked down? He wonders what he can find out. Gokudera may be pretty smart, but he is no programmer.

He is listening, while Gokudera speaks he eats, sipping his milk and in general enjoying himself more than he has in a while. He is stretching in his chair, eyeing his plate thinking he may have taken a little more than he should have. It is definitely all filling. When Gokudera says tomato soba he laughs, right down deep from his belly amused about it. He can feel free to snag one off Yamamoto's plate, he'll be glad to share. Right now he is happily eating his Tomato Soba!

"We didn't eat anything that wasn't Japanese or could be named by color. Tomato soba would have been better." Strange, he knows but red fried noodles were born of this peculiar habit of his dad's.

"That's because you need more sleep." It is not reproachful but a matter of fact. After all, if the milk makes a person sleepy clearly their body is telling them something. Plus, he noticed in the future, Gokudera does not sleep much, or at least it seems that way.

"We'll have to ask around, there's a bunch of stuff to try out." If it comes back regularly he will drag Gokudera along to try out everything they don't explore tonight. Yamamoto would like this, there is something beautiful, soothing about that piano music. He never thought he would enjoy something so mellow so much but he did.

Gokudera may be a very proud young man, used to taking care of himself. However, Yamamoto usually feels comfortable sharing his food. That, and if he really couldn’t take one of his onigiri... he could just go grab another from the buffet. As it is, he definitely takes one, no one is upset about it, so there’s no problem. Not that Yamamoto is ever the type to lash out like the Storm Guardian does.

“I guess being on a different planet means we could always try foods neither of us are familiar with...” That is both an exciting and terrifying thought.

He’s going to snicker, hearing Yamamoto actively referring to spaghetti with red sauce as Tomato Soba is so stupid.

“Ah-!” Way to call him out like that. Gokudera gives a little bit of a pout and mutters that he can’t help it. Even on Amoi, his roommate had noticed how Gokudera would never sleep at normal hours. He worries how adjusting to a new planet will work with his insomnia.

“You think there’s a pool, even?” He’s not interested in swimming, but what doesn’t this space cruise ship have? Gokudera won’t bring up his desire to play the piano again. It’s always something that’s been very personal to him. He would play. He just won’t talk about it easily. True to form with most personal matters, and those that especially don’t concern the family, he’s evasive. It isn’t that playing the piano is a weakness, it’s just... irrelevant.

No matter how proud, they are teenagers and friends. Taking food off each other's plate is not something that would be a big deal. In fact, Yamamoto does not even notice let alone care as he finishes his milk.

Maybe next time, who knows when he would have a chance to eat things that taste so much like home. They may have to get adventurous in their food choices, depending on what Anchor has to offer when not hosting this place. It will forever be Tomato Soba, Gokudera only has himself to blame. The snicker cements the new name as sure as if it was engraved.

It is the way of the rain, calling out without putting out. Just a friendly reminder to his friend that he has to remember to take care of himself too. Yamamoto gives a patient smile in return to the pout "I suppose not." The same as he will not be able to help but to try and be helpful in making it easier for Gokudera to sleep, it is imprinted in his DNA.

Yamamoto may approach the piano scenario one day or if he gets lucky find one, even if it has to be fixed up. Who knows, after all, he is bound to get into any part of the dome he can to explore before it is said and done. When Gokudera asks about a pool he perks up excited clearly "It has a beach and water park up top! It's amazing!"

It's just something they used to do a lot, too. Back in Namimori, having lunch on the school roof, it wasn't strange for Gokudera to nab something off the other boy's bento. Tsuyoshi's lunches beat convenient store meals any day... Not that he'll admit that. But there is something to be said about food crafted by a caring family member. It just... tastes better.

Bianchi doesn't count. She never will, ugh.

They may accumulate inside jokes at this rate. So long as Yamamoto isn't referring to spaghetti as tomato soba to some big time mafia bosses, Gokudera will find it amusing.

Gokudera knows to take better care of himself. He also knows that he can talk to his family about what he's been through, and they will listen. Yamamoto is just... predictable and unpredictable to Gokudera. He knows how he'll respond most times, but the bomber isn't going to mention anything about what he's been through. Again, it's pretty irrelevant.

"A beach?" There's some wonder in his eyes. How.... is there a beach on a space cruise ship?

Yamamoto could not argue that fact. No matter how well-prepared nothing compares to a meal that is cooked for you because the person cares enough to want to take care of you. It's like the sushi here, yes, it is delicious. No, to his taste buds it is not as good as his dad's because it is missing that made for you quality. Plus, Tsuna's mom is the best cook. She keeps any of the family in her home well fed and cared for.

Agreed. Bianchi is never allowed to cook if she shows up. Yamamoto is currently thinking that he may try helping out with cooking in Anchor. He does have some experience there.

Oh no, how tragic, who wants inside jokes? Those would be lovely, it is another sign of the connection between the family. To him it may be irrelevant to his family, they will be here when there are times it does not feel that way. Of course, Gokudera knows that and Yamamoto is more of a show through action than give a big speech about how he feels. There are moments that are exceptions when they faced Gamma for one.

"Right! It is amazing. So pretty, the water was so warm. Want to see it?" He figures they can head that way when they finish up with their food if Gokudera wants. He is already nearly done with his own.

Tsuna's mom is pretty much everyone's mom. Gokudera doesn't refer to her like the others do, but that may be because he's not living under her roof the same way his sister does. She can still cook better than anyone he's ever met.

If Yamamoto expressed interest in a job, the bomber would definitely recommend he assist in some kind of food service. Gokudera probably won't immediately start hunting for a new job. He has no idea where to start.

Any time Gokudera looks or thinks of spaghetti now, he'll probably snicker. It's the little things, really. That moment where they faced Gamma was pivotal, as it made Gokudera more aware of how his behavior impacted the rest of the family, and his position as right-hand overall. He needed to hear what Yamamoto said, and despite the fact that their argument was so poorly timed, Gokudera had listened and learned.

He's trying to be better now, because of it. That honesty was painful, but developmental.

"Uh... yeah." There's some hesitation, but it's not like he's going to go swimming. It's just to go see it.

Neither does Yamamoto, probably for the same fact. That and he also has a tendency to call his dad old man versus dad, so. He is an informal, laid back kind of person it can't be helped.

He will be looking, certain to mention it to Gokudera. Considering he intends to stick with his friend and he knows the other has the same intention it is likely at some point he will. Foodservice would be right up his alley and may help him with his homesickness that is bound to come now and then.

It is, a bond is like a rope braided out of moments. Some are small, like Tomato Soba, they reflect the growth that comes from larger moments. The one thing Yamamoto wants to be is more aware of saying what he needs to say before it all boils over. Yamamoto meant what he said, he knows it needed to be said, it does not mean he will ever enjoy arguing with someone he cares about. Yamamoto means to work on holding things in till he loses his patience, he has to be less carefree, for the good of his friends and family.

Luckily, they are both young with unlimited potential for growth. They are at that cusp in life where they are going to grow faster than they expect.

"I didn't try swimming, just put my feet in." He looks down to his mostly empty plate, takes his last sip and stretches. Looking around to see where he puts his empty dishes.

"You ready?" They may as well enjoy this, he does not think life will be so lavish on Anchor. But that is okay, they don't need fancy things to survive and grow.

It's almost refreshing in how casual Yamamoto can be, especially compared to the kind of people Gokudera has met in the mafia. It's definitely annoying most of the time, but it's probably part of the reason why the baseball player has so smoothly adapted to being in the mafia.

Gokudera could probably... clean? He's definitely worked part time at a convenience store (at ridiculous hours with school the next day because he's a bit reckless). It will definitely be a change to his job on Amoi as a nurse, and then as a bodyguard.

Both of them considered their actions out of line, and Gokudera even admitted to being scared and using that to his reasoning for lashing out. In that regard, he's always scared of people rejecting him, and that feeds into a self-deprecating mentality he's shaking off to be a better friend to his fellow Guardians.

"Do you think it's actually salt water?" Gokudera asks as he gets up as well and hums in agreement. He doesn't need fancy things, and when he had them, he was too young to appreciate them. It's better to be free in Anchor without anything lavish than to be stuck as someone's property, smothered with attention, and punished for breaking rules that'd never been established. He's happy now, and he'll roll with the punches. They both will!

His adaptive skills are so instinctive, half the time he doesn't realize he is doing it. He goes with what is happening and stays rational. If occasionally, mildly oblivious to some things. He sees what's important and reacts accordingly. It is the mixture of oblivious and cheerful and observant and determined that makes him both endearing and infuriating.

Cleaning is good, there seems to be more than a few places that could use that skill. Yamamoto is probably going to encourage Gokudera into something that utilizes that brain of his. He just has to use his own to think of what first. He can help keep people safe, make a plan but when it comes down to the real nitty-gritty of the research and things, he will leave that to the storm just find a way to suggest something in that field when he can.

Friends fight, it's a fact, family gets over it and rises stronger, which they did. There is no shame in it, Yamamoto has been scared, he admits that. They have faced things that grown-ups would run from.

"I don't know, how would you tell?" Once they are both up, dishes deposited Yamamoto slides his hands into his pockets. The straps over his shoulders move slightly but not enough to bother him, they just match his posture in a relaxed manner. Freedom is always preferred. A happy friend and freedom, there are few things better. They will use that "Vongola Fight!" spirit. Those who haven't made it here yet always with them in spirit.

What makes it most infuriating, especially from Gokudera's perspective is jealousy. He's been struggling most of his life to get into a family, and Yamamoto was the Tenth's friend. Reborn clearly favors him... most everyone does. The bomber no longer feels that bitter annoyance about Yamamoto's oblivious, cheery nature. He's found strength in it, and acts more aggravated than he actually is. As usual, Gokudera's bravado is his shield.

Gokudera may reach out on the network depending on how his skills can be utilized. Until then, it doesn't feel pressing to mess with chemistry or controlled explosions. Storm flames may help with breaking into certain areas, but he's not going to explore anything without communicating to other Anchor natives.

"Taste it? Feel how your skin dries out afterwards? Salty water smells different than fresh water..." He remembers swimming in fresh water, and eating wafers that gave him the ability to breathe underwater with... odd side effects.

He wants to swim, though, but is hesitant. There's a lot he associates with the beach. A certain loss he doesn't want to focus on. Hopefully... it will feel completely different.

Yamamoto knows about the jealousy, he does not take offense nor pride in it. He understands it now in a way he did not when they first met. Enough time has passed since that day that he is aware of it and the reasons. He does not seem himself as more favored, he is just more easy-going. It makes connecting to him easier but the easy path is not always the best. There is a value in someone whose friendship has to be earned, whose trust is not so easily given.

Chemistry or controlled explosives are out of Yamamoto's reach, he'll stick to swords and baseball bats. His dying will flame and box with companions are cool additions but about as technical as he is going to get. That would be smart, Yamamoto is sure to reach out and talk to people. He however is likely to start exploring, poking, and training as he does. Sitting still is not his cup of tea.

"Taste it?" Yamamoto chuckles at this, he wonders about the skin thing and stops, lifting his pant leg to inspect his lower calf. It does not seem overly dry to him, maybe more than before he stepped in the water "Huh, not too dry. It smelled like home." If that makes any sense, he can't explain that was just the feeling the water gave him at the time.

If he mentions swimming Yamamoto is bound to go for it. He may not think of it on his own but rather they do or don't this time, hopefully, there will be a chance in the future.

It is wrong of Gokudera to assume that Yamamoto made friends with the Tenth so easily. Their boss saved them both in different ways, and it isn't really any business of Gokudera's to poke his nose in to what Yamamoto's past had been like. They've both grown. Their boss is their most important person, and Gokudera has learned how to share.

He does not think Yamamoto should stop being so carefree, but then... he has no idea what the cost of dark thoughts could do if they were to ever overwhelm the other. No one is going to let Yamamoto stay down, and Gokudera is as dutiful towards him as a friend should be. In his own way, of course. It's what his boss would want, and it's something Yamamoto does for him.

Gokudera is going to treat Anchor like a small reprieve. He's got a lot of what Amoi did to him to move on from. The homesickness is instead a startling adjustment. He'd had attention so much, always someone eager to be with him in ways he'd never let anyone in before. Now suddenly, it's painful, but he has to act like he never knew Yamamoto in the... intimate way he had before. It's almost easier to think of Amoi as a nightmare, and with the way it haunts him, there's a tension it brings to even something as simple as this.

"Yeah. If you swim in salt water, and you taste it, it will obviously be salty." Gross but true.

He watches the other boy inspect his calf and gives a soft frown. "It probably is salt water, then. If it's like home... considering Japan is surrounded by it." Not to say there were no bodies of fresh water. The sushi usually came from saltwater fish. Gokudera's stuck staring for a moment, as though lost in thought. It makes sense, Yamamoto...

Gokudera just might mention swimming. Sure, he's not dressed for it, but clothes can dry and layers can be removed. At the very least, he may just want to lounge in the sand.

Yamamoto does make friends pretty easily, he should learn to be a little more discerning some times but his trusting nature has not got him into major trouble, yet. He can usually sniff out the bad guys, it is an instinct to know when someone isn't "right". They have come a long way and Yamamoto is grateful for every one of them from Tsuna to Haru and everyone in between, each member of the family is important to him. He has had a relatively easy life, his old man is a good father, they always have a roof and food and he spent most of his time at sports clubs.

For Yamamoto, it is his chance to get stronger, be ready when he goes back to do what has to be done. It has also given him a purpose and drive, that is pushing back the darker thoughts that weighed on him when he arrived. What his friend goes through in regards to their relationship in Amoi, Yamamoto can not understand, he has never experienced any of those things with anyone, let alone with someone he is already friends with. He will however want to be around Gokudera, to be there for the other. And for himself, Gokudera is as close to home as he can have here, Yamamoto is not going to let that go. All Gokudera has to do is be himself, not who he was when Yamamoto last saw him at home but the person he is, at this moment, his core person is always enough.

He pulls a face at the thought of saltwater, it does not sound appetizing. Yamamoto thinks that would zap your hydration faster than not. No wonder his dad made sure they always took water with them when he was a kid.

As they near the beach Yamamoto can not help but tilt his head upward, takin gin a deep breath. Glad that Gokudera understood. Yamamoto never considered what kind of water it was until it was brought up. That seems a safe assumption the bomber has made. As the water comes into view he smiles at Gokudera.

"Beautiful isn't it?" There is something soothing about the water. He may have to roll up his pant legs at the least and step in again. Now that he is here it is hard to resist.

It's hard to know who the bad guys are when the Tenth goes around and turns them good. It's like everyone he fights with learns something about his worth and is an instant ally. The biggest obstacles seem small when the Tenth brings in his compassion.

Yamamoto may have gone through his loss, and it may have impacted to family, but he was not alone. Gokudera won't allow him to shoulder the idea that he failed when he's experienced his own losses so many times. The Tenth wouldn't want them to feel they somehow were not good enough... because he values them. Gokudera's adjustment will be strange more than difficult, and on Amoi, he forgot what Namimori was like. If he were honest, he'd say he doesn't miss home. It's... hard to remember what it was like. The Tenth, and the family most of all are his home.

He won't put his feelings out. In response to past relationships -any regarding member(s) of the Vongola- he will just clam up all the more. Gokudera forgives. That's the easy part. It's the forgetting, especially with Yamamoto wanting to be around him that's the real challenge. Gokudera thinks he's become strange, turns and keeps his attention on the other as they arrive at the beach, and then seems startled when the other smiles at him.

It... really is a beach. He puts his left hand to his heart and squeezes it gently to the blue hoodie he's been wearing. There are scars on his hand and not from burns. It looks to move well enough, and is fully healed, but it has definitely been through a lot. "I used to..." Why is it so hard to speak and open up?

"... used to know a demigod. He was the son of Poseidon, and could talk to fish, and horses... Do you think there are any fish in this water?" Is it real, asks the wide wonder in his eyes when he turns them to his friend.

That is a valid point, he even halfway kind of got through to Xanxus. The guy is still an asshole but he fights for the Vongola, if not for Tsuna perse. There is just something about Tsuna. He draws the strong to him, either to fight for or against him but either way, they are there. It is hard to be enemies to a guy who will fight you tooth and nail, then save you in the same breath after all.

Once he has been away from home longer, he may find it is more than people than the place that he misses. Of course, right now he misses both, then again one could argue it is the people that make it this way. Either way, he misses Namimori. Memories should not be forgotten. Yamamoto would not want his friend to keep bad memories but if the ones of him are good, he would want him to keep them. Even if they are memories of a different Yamamoto, if they can bring any sense of happiness in remembrance he would want Gokudera to remember. Rather he knows about them ever or not. Who they are today are the ones who will grow together in this world and build a life. Whatever may come, that remains a fact.

The startled look at the smile, the hand clutching his heart with scars that are not from training. The way the words seem to be dragged from Gokudera, it goes without saying this place is hard for him. Is it a real beach? Yamamoto does not know, any more than he knows if this entire ship is from the fight club up. What he does know, it is real enough now.

"He must have been a good friend. Let's see..." A Demigod sounds cool but something in Gokudera's tone tells Yamamoto this is not the time to poke with questions. He covers the sympathy he feels, knowing Gokudera will not want him feeling that way. Instead, he drops to the sand, tugging his shoes and socks off Yamamoto rolls up his pants legs. He can't fix what hurts Gokudera because he can't understand it. But he can try to help him move forward, to begin to heal, he knows the other is trying to do that himself.

He leaves his belongings there with his shoes and walks towards the water when he reaches the edge he turns around. He has thought about this before he made it there, back home he may not have done this, may not have thought Gokudera needed him to hold his hand out. But here, maybe a little extra encouragement is needed. He looks over his shoulder at Gokudera, still smiling, he holds out a hand.

"Come on, I think I see some." He is so glad there are fish, he hopes it makes Gokudera happy.

It's probably in the way that their boss sees worth in everyone. Even the worst people he's met, he's been compassionate towards. Mukuro even, though there's more harm than good that's come from him. Still... the Tenth is the best person Gokudera knows, because he is so accepting of others.

Thinking about the Tenth comes naturally to Gokudera. Most everything he does in his mind is a reflection on the family, and he'd hate to do something foolish if/when the Tenth shows up. Of course, there are doubts and worries. Having Yamamoto nearby is comfort. He isn't alone anymore, and he won't be leaving the Rain Guardian if he can help it. No matter the kind of memories he holds... Yamamoto is Yamamoto. There's something dependable to him, and Gokudera will keep his feelings bottled up. Eventually... they will fade, he hopes.

"He was..." His boyfriend for a few hours, and then he was gone.

Gokudera watches Yamamoto and he can smell the salt off the water, stares at it and then focuses on that hand held out to him. He takes off his own socks and shoes, and doesn't bother to roll up his pants. They're low-hanging and the denim is thick... so he'll just let them get wet. Gokudera removes the hoodie and sets it in the sand, hoping it will smell of the beach more than his cigarettes after this.

That hand is nice to see offered to him, but he brushes it away gently with his right. "I don't need your hand," He says and tips up his chin as he wades in, masking the bubbly excitement in his gut with a cocky attitude. What if there are like... aliens that live in the water?! He's looking away and around, searching out over the water with obvious curiosity.

True, as open and pure-hearted as Yamamoto is. Tsuna is more so than him, he sees good where even Yamamoto could miss it. He will never hear an argument from Yamamoto with that opinion, he happens to agree.

One thing about Tsuna, he forgives and he always believes in them. His is the type of strength that draws it out in his friends. They are formidable on their own but none of them would have reached who they are if not for Tsuna. He enables them all to shine. This is a good thing as the Rain Guardian has no intention of going far from the Storm Guardian. One they are all they have here. Two, Yamamoto knows it is a comfort to Gokudera without the words being said. Three, it is a comfort to Yamamoto, he feels stronger knowing someone he can trust with his life has his back.

"I see..." It must have been very close, he does not automatically assume boyfriend but it is clear by how Gokudera says it this person meant a great deal to him.

Yamamoto smiles as his hand is gently pushed aside, it got the results he wanted, Gokudera is in the water. He is engaged and pretending like internally he is not excited and curious about the water. Yamamoto leans over, placing his hands on his knees as he moves his toe. He can not tell right off if they are normal fish like they would find at home. What he does see are bright colors.

"I wonder what kind of fish these are." He feels no need to comment on his hand not being needed. In a way, it was a statement more than a want for his hand to be held. It was his way of motivating Gokudera while saying, he is here, whatever is needed. His point got across he is sure.

Gokudera will not take for granted the kind of comfort and support he feels from Yamamoto, and he will not actively brush the other Guardian off when he knows he is being relied on. Competition is fun, their own pride strong together in their family and resounds easy enough between them.

He hopes that if the Tenth shows up, he will approve of how they are adjusting so far. It’s been clear that they haven’t always gotten along easily, but where it counts now more than ever, they can work together for their own benefits, for the Tenth’s, and their family.

“You would have liked him.” Something about water. Percy Jackson would have been a great ally to the Vongola, Gokudera thinks. Even if he weren’t his first ever and only boyfriend. He was just fun to be around, probably would have made Yamamoto’s face and stomach hurt with his humor.

“I wish I could have brought some digital skins with me. You didn’t even have to change clothes in Amoi. You could just walk into a swimming pool area and you were outfitted with a swimming suit. Go to a Halloween party, BAM! Instant costume.” He can see the color under the water and leans forward trying to get a good look.

“Want to bet I can catch one?” He asks softly and strips off his shirt, balling it up and carefully taking off his jeans to leave himself in his boxers. There’s no shame. Gokudera has clear scratches going down his sides. They aren’t deep, and look like he may have scratched himself recently. He didn’t. There are also white stripes of scars on his back. They don’t look super deep, but they are shiny, probably from a blade... maybe from his fight with Bel during the ring battles?

Gokudera balls up his clothes together, ties the legs and flips fabric inside out so it’s tight, then holds it out to Yamamoto with a smirk. “Toss that onto the beach for me?” That’s right, baseball idiot. Lob it as hard as you can and please don’t hit anyone.

Yamamoto does not think about it but this is probably the longest he and Gokudera have spent alone. He does not notice that, to him, he is just here with his friend. Both relying on the other for the comfort that comes from the shock of what each has been through on his own. A competitive spirit runs through all the Guardians, even Hibari but in the end with each other, they always fight together no matter what.

The ball player thinks he would, Tsuna would be happy to see his friends happy and surviving. Plus the more they know if or when Tsuna arrives the easier they can make his transition he is bound to appreciate that.

"I think I like most everybody." He teases Gokudera with a smile, that is in fact true. He can name a few people he could do without but that list is surprisingly small despite the multiple battles they have been in. "That sounds amazing!!" How cool would that be to be able to step inside a party or somewhere and instantly be dressed? Hopefully, you didn't end up naked if it glitched he thinks to himself.

"We don't have any..." He stops, bursting into a laugh of pure joy, this is great, Gokudera looks so happy and Yamamoto can't help but encourage him "With your hands?" He does not doubt but he teases as if he does. He can not miss those scars, any visible to his eyes are not missed. Some that may be older, some that don't seem so much. It hurts, somewhere deep inside of him to see but his strength does not falter. He does not flinch, he does stare with the anger he feels seeping into his form at the persons who left those marks. His smile does not falter and it does fade from his eyes. Those scars are the past, they will make it different now. He knows some come from their previous battles, it is not that he does not have his own. But nowhere near as many as Gokudera. The ones that worry him the most are the scratches that look recent, he will have to watch, maybe they are from Uri?

Then there is a ball of clothes in his hand, everything changes at that moment. His eyes glint, determined, his body immediately winds up into his pitcher stance and with all his power he launches the clothes to the beach. Luckily he does avoid everyone, it does zing past causing some wind resistance to a few aliens and he rubs the back of his head with a sheepish grin and called out an apology.

Then he turns, watching to see if Gokudera can actually catch a fish. He may have to join, it looks fun and he hasn't been swimming in a while.

Having spent so much time on Amoi and made to keep from his family, punished for stepping somewhere he was not allowed, Gokudera had learned to value a bit more the time he spends with people individually. He's not sentimental and warm about it, but there is something more open to him that was never around in Namimori. He's flexible in how he's guarded with people he doesn't like. Even if Ryohei were to arrive, he'd argue with him as usual but probably visibly enjoy it.

The time alone has made his will to grow stronger. The motive has always been for the boss, but it's also for the family. It's the kind of consideration a right-hand man should have. Making a smooth transition for a fellow Guardian will help out the family, and the Tenth is no exception.

"Right." Yamamoto is not ever difficult to be around unless, like Gokudera, someone is actively opposed towards most everything about him.

"It was! I mean, some of the outfits looked pretty stupid, though..." He remembers the Tenth being scared he'd be clothed in something dodgy when they went to the pool, and he just ended up in swim trunks. Gokudera had ended up in a speedo, and Yamamoto had wound up in a fundoshi. It'd been so funny and he's snickering to himself at the thought.

"Yes with my hands!" He barks, almost irritated at the teasing tone. "I fought a dragon before, and I've given Uri a bath! How hard could catching one little fish be?"

Gokudera gives him a shove, noticing that staring. "Think you could do better, hm? If you catch one, I'll drink a carton of milk every day for a week. Two, and I might do it for a month. If I catch one first, you're getting me a new carton of smokes. Deal?" He goes to offer his left hand, then changes his mind and offers the right. The scratches on his sides are definitely not sharp, deep, or small. A person definitely left them, and Gokudera would admit he kind of... liked getting them? Nah, that's too embarrassing to say. It's not like he'll get new ones like this, so there is nothing to worry about.

He watches that ball of clothes and hopes it will be easy enough to retrieve when they're done. Gokudera whistles, "Show off..." It's as much a compliment as a grumbled remark.

That is a sight Yamamoto would enjoy seeing, the two arguing but Gokudera happy with it. He believes Ryohei enjoys it, he is always so passionate after all. Gokudera is the right choice for the right-hand man out of all of them. It is clear in the growth in him already that he will go far and become stronger to support the family.

Even then, it appears he grows on those people as well. It is hard to resist an honest person, so many people hide things and Yamamoto is open. He may not always say it words but by his actions his character is clear.

"Like cosplay.." He laughs himself, Gokudera's snicker helping it along. He is not imagining speedos so much as he is imaging some of the outfits Haru pops up in. They have certainly gotten interesting on more than one occasion.

Appropriate that bathing Uri and fighting a dragon is on par with each other. The entire thing leaves Yamamoto laughing. It feels good to irritate Gokudera a little, it is a typical response to his goofiness. He does not want to make him mad but a little of the natural banter isn't so bad. He will have to ask about the dragon but right now there is a fishing competition to focus on. Oh wait and is that an offer to get Gokudera to take better care of himself, he would rather not buy the smokes but that just means he can't lose.

He is already out of his shirt, unzipping his pants as Gokudera says deal. His right-hand hold his pants up, shoving his left hand out to shake Gokudera's "Deal!" His eyes have that determined glint but they are alive with mischief and happiness too. He will have to ask about those fresh scratches, if he hears they were enjoyed he may end up with some pink skin, it could be amusing. And knowing Yamamoto before he asks about dragon-fighting, he'll ask about the injuries. But first, time to fish!

He balls his clothes up, clad in his boxers beside the other he makes no hesitation in pitching his clothes to land beside Gokudera's in the same manner. They are salvageable, if probably sandy from how they embedded into it from the force.

He flashes that confident grin at being called a show-off because he hears the compliment in the grumble "It's been a while since I did that". Then he rubs his hands together and turns those sharp eyes to the water. "Ready?"

He definitely is.

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