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?"

Comments

[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.”

[goldtoxicity]

A gentle elbow. "Hey," he teases. "I'm a big deal around here, y'know? You can't let it slip that I was the highschool fuckup."

A bright laugh. The elevator reveals the beauty of the room - a stunning vista overlooking the seas. Luxury organically crafted furniture in every room.

"I dealt with Vanisher on two teams. So like, dude... I get it now."

[helpdesk_hero]

Oh. Oh it's so beautiful. David moves across the room and moves toward the windows, his breath catching as he sees the view. So beautiful.

"You worked with Vanisher? Wow, that's insane. but this... I keep being shocked by the beauty here."

[goldtoxicity]

"X-Force and Hellfire Club. We're like old war buddies, only he annoys me and he's scared of me."

He smiles, his gaze following David's out to the beauty of the bay.

"It's really something, huh?"

[helpdesk_hero]

"Paradise," David answers, his voice a low whisper. Then his eyes turn to Josh, smiling softly at the light rolling off the gold of his skin.

"The most beautiful sight I've ever seen."

[goldtoxicity]

Josh doesn't notice. Not at first, anyway, his eyes are still out to the beautiful scenery before the turns to David with a smile.

"Let's hit up the guest rooms."

[helpdesk_hero]

"I would offer to race you to them, but I'm still lost," David admits with a smile, throwing an arm over Josh's shoulders. "I have pillow duties, right?"