Reunited and it Feels So Good - @goldtoxicity

[helpdesk_hero]

The idea of Krakoa hadn't called to David, when everything was said and all of the offerings made, David hadn't been tempted. It wasn't until one name in particular had been said that he had packed his things and made for the nearest gate. Because there weren't many things that would shift him back to mutant concerns.

Elixir was one of those few things.

So there it was, David heading through the gate, and into an amazing garden. Massive trees around him, vines, flowers, fruit. And so many mutants. David, back over his shoulder, looked around in awe of the place. There was so much going on here and he didn't know what to do about it. Or where to go.

"Uh," he says, approaching the first person that seemed like an authority figure, from how people were gathered around them. A figure in some sort of body suit. "Excuse me? What are new arrivals supposed to do? And do you know where I can find Josh Foley?"

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[helpdesk_hero]

He was what? David wants to laugh at the idea of it. Emma Frost WOULD have put him in horrible things, just to show off the gold. Or the lead. A statement of power.

"You know, you could prevent the snoring if you make my air passages better," David points out. But he figures it's not the point.

"You've never had a David-shaped pillow."

[goldtoxicity]

"Maybe I find it soothing. Like white noise."

He bumps his elbow against David.

"Are you gonna deny me a pillow?"

[helpdesk_hero]

"I'm decidedly not white noise," David teases. And if he maybe moves closer to throw an arm around Josh's shoulder, well...

That isn't a bad thing, right? Right.

"Pretty certain there will be pillows. But if you can't find any, you can use me. I owe you that."

[goldtoxicity]

Not at all. Josh's a fount of energy, skin warm and buzzing under his touch. He even leans into it.

"You don't owe me anything. Let's make that clear right now - I just wanna get in some David time before everybody's fighting over your badass skills."

[helpdesk_hero]

“My skills are redundant if you have a few good telepaths that can properly network in the room,” David counters.

And he knows that isn’t true. But he isn’t an Elixir or a Forge or a Magneto. His powers are limited and no doubt replicated.

“I’ll be the one fighting for your time,” David counters. Seemed his best friend was important.

[goldtoxicity]

"No. Never. You've got open access to me whenever you want it," Josh says. "Literally nobody else on Krakoa can say that... but if it makes you feel better, you can feel honored to be the pillow of one of the Five."

[helpdesk_hero]

“New to being a mutant again. Still a genius. Which means I know I shouldn’t accept that offer, Foley.”

But he still has his arm around Josh’s neck. Rude as it might be, he was definitely letting some bit of Josh’s power keep him moving. He has been starting to notice the drain that the healing had inflicted. Who knew?

“And being the pillow of one of the five can’t be that great. A pillow is nothing. You’ve slept with at least several people on this island. They probably rate higher on the ‘Josh by association’ list.”

[goldtoxicity]

"You calling me a slut, Alleyne?"

Which, well, he guesses he pretty much is. Or at least was, last time he was anywhere near other mutants. There are even a few faces from his days on the streets here now.

"I haven't slept with or on anybody since I got back, so no, you'd be pretty high up there."

[helpdesk_hero]

“If the shoe apparently used to fit?”

There is less confidence in his response than there could have been. Frankly, David was shocked. Or he was shocked until he thought about it.

“Laurie.”

[goldtoxicity]

Laurie.

"Surprisingly, no... I mean," he shakes his head. "It didn't help things. She's - still sixteen, and like, still trying to acclimate and I didn't wanna make things worse by, like, showing I... moved on, or whatever... But I've been too busy to mess around with anybody."

He clicks his tongue.

"Plus, like, people treat me way different now... kinda makes it hard to feel normal."

[helpdesk_hero]

Ah. Hero worship could do that. At least Josh had a team that probably didn’t take him seriously. More than that, he had David. Years apart, but still a very particular kind of annoying.

“Tell then you love Blink-182. That will take off some of the shine.”

[goldtoxicity]

"They're a good band!"

How very dare.

"It's more like - people see us as Gods. Like... there's already a little Jesus mythos going on, since people know for a fact I've died and crawled back."

By the time you reply to this I sleep.

[helpdesk_hero]

“If only they knew you used to leave your dirty socks on my bed,” David teases.

If he wasn’t sure before, he is now. He is staying. Josh needs someone who sees him not as one of some mutant powered magic. He needs someone who sees the person. And maybe David needs that too.

“But you’re happy? That’s my concern.”

[goldtoxicity]

"I'm happy." It's the truth. He hasn't been happy in years, and this - this is happier than he thinks he's ever been. There are downsides to life here, the way people treat him is strange and confusing, but...

But he's happy.

[helpdesk_hero]

“Good. Because if not, I would have to do something about it.”

A lot of things. He doesn’t know what. Just that he would need to.

[goldtoxicity]

"Oh yeah?" They're approaching cliffs. The doors to the Red Keep rise from the ground, swinging open for them.

[helpdesk_hero]

David nearly trips again. What just happened.

“Do you just... get used to these things here? And yeah. Best friend, even if we were apart a while.”

[goldtoxicity]

"Yeah?" Josh pauses, realizing just what sort of day David's going to be in for once he's ready to venture out. "Oh, dude... you haven't seen anything yet."

And then, as they're getting into the elevator to the rest of the keep, the rest of what he said catches up. His smile broadens.

"Right back at you, buddy."

[helpdesk_hero]

“I know. Still marveling over being whole again. I’ve been without my mutation for so long and I was a mutant for such a short period of time.”

He hadn’t even had a year and a half of his powers, and he’d been without for more than five. It was troubling. But he moved on.

“I... used to write letters. To you and the team.”

[goldtoxicity]

Of course he did. That sounds like the exact kind of nerdy thing David would do to express himself. Josh smiles faintly, though it fades.

"I'm sorry... about the way I left."

[helpdesk_hero]

“I... don’t know why you did. But I know you must have had reasons,” David says. Frankly? He doesn’t need to hear them. All he wished for was his family back, the one he had found.

“I... I have so much to tell you. So many stories. Things about me and my life that you should know.”

[goldtoxicity]

A shrug. He doesn't want to get into it, not yet. That's a conversation for later.

"So tell me. I'm not going anywhere."

[helpdesk_hero]

“It’s a lot of years to cover,” David points out. Though some of them were boring or were probably covered by other people. Or could have been covered by other people.

Where does he even start?

“I worked IT for a while. People? Fucking idiots.”

[goldtoxicity]

"You worked IT?" Josh echoes incredulously. He tries to picture it. David Alleyne, going through the motions of IT support. And he can, sort of, but not in any way that would've lead to him holding that job for more than a few hours.

[helpdesk_hero]

“Technically it was heroics support. Can’t disable a bomb? Call in, get the staff to help,” David answers. It had been miserable. “Good thing I learned patience handling you. Not that it was enough.”