![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
DID YOU GUYS HEAR, IT'S SOMEONE'S BIRTHDAY TODAY.
Okay, so I was planning on writing something fic-ish for Gokudera's birthday, right? And I just could not for the life of me come up with anything that stuck. For a while I was thinking I might do a drabble about him and Uri, but after my fifteenth failed attempt at an opening paragraph, I gave up on that too. And for a while I despaired, because FAVORITE CHARACTER'S BIRTHDAY, and here I have nothing to offer sobbbb.
In the end, I decided to scrap the idea of a fic entirely, and just do something essayish instead. Because if I can't write coherently, then damn it, I CAN AT LEAST RAMBLE!!1
So, here is a tribute to our dear Storm Guardian in the form of a List. Specifically, a List of My Top Ten Favorite Gokudera Moments. In chronological order, because I can't rank for beans.
1. "What the hell is this!? The one I follow is the Tenth, not the Ninth!"
The entire promotion chapter is awesome, of course, but this is probably my favorite scene, because it just shows that here they are, testing his loyalty, and he passes right from the get-go. Throughout this entire chapter, his only focus is on Tsuna. The only reason he has any conflict at all is because he wants to make sure he makes the best decision for Tsuna. I REALLY DON'T THINK HIS LOYALTY IS A PROBLEM HERE.
2. "Boss... please escape."
I am. A sucker. For scenes where someone sacrifices him/herself for someone else. And this is like the perfect example of such a scene. There's Gokudera, being all selfless, taking the hit for the Tenth, and then of course on top of that he also has do the whole whispering-for-them-to-escape-don't-worry-about-meeeee thing as well. God, Dera, break my heart why don't you. ;_;
3. "I wanted to see the fireworks again..."
And this is quite possibly still my favorite scene in the entire series. Finally, finally, Gokudera realizes that it isn't his value as a subordinate or right-hand man that matters to Tsuna or the others, but his value as a person. The struggle right before this scene, where he's desperately rationalizing why it would be okay to die at that moment, and then the look on his face when Tsuna finally gets through to him ("So that everyone can laugh together again!! If you die, then all that no longer has any meaning, does it?!")--it's such an intense scene, and it all comes down to this quiet moment when he reappears in the aftermath. "I'm sorry Tenth. The ring was taken. I wanted to see the fireworks again... so I've come back." He finally understands that to Tsuna, him returning alive is so much more important than anything else. It's such a huge moment for his character that I just... oi. It's one of those moments where you want to cry and punch him at the same time, you know? GOKUDERA YOU OH GOD I LOVE YOU YOU RETARDED EMO BOMB CHILD.
4. "I don't have time to play with you at leisure. Eat this!"
This scene is one that I love just because it's one of those (sadly) rare moments where Dera is not only badass, but is SMART and badass. He purposely goads Levi into opening his parabolas so that he can take them out with his rocket bombs. It's done brilliantly and it just goes to show that when he's NOT charging in like a hotheaded dumbass, he really is a very smart and very capable fighter. Levi is both outwitted and outclassed; the reader is left to bask in Gokudera's awesome. (Also, this may just be the only time he's ever unquestionably won a fight. XDDD)
5. "Hang in there, stupid cow. The lightning ring... belongs to you."
AWWW HE DOES CARE. ;_; I just love this scene because of the contrast between how Gokudera typically treats Lambo, and how he treats him here. He's worried, he's careful, and he's downright gentle, which is just astounding when you think about how he normally acts. I mean, LOOK AT HIS FACE. He really does have a heart of gold underneath all of his rage and stubbornness and bitchery, and this scene demonstrates that better than almost any other, especially since Tsuna isn't even involved. It's just him being a good guardian and looking out for the other guardians, and damn but it makes me awww.
6. "Heh, you didn't have to tell me. I've always been... determined!!"
THIS IS JUST LISTED HERE FOR THE OMG BADASS. I mean, this moment still gives me chills. HELL YES DETERMINATION IS ONE QUALITY THAT GOKUDERA DEFINITELY DOES NOT LACK. AND THEN FWOOSH GOES THE FLAME, AND OUT COMES THE SKULL AND WHEEE SOO COOOOLLL. LOOK, LOOK HOW COOL HE IS.
...socool.
7. "Fool. I'm the right-hand man. I don't do close calls."
This scene (and the entire battle before it) is a favorite because it's teamwork and character development and badass all rolled into one. I still get a kick out of seeing Yamamoto and Gokudera double-teaming Gamma together, and it's all the more amazing for following right on the heels of one of Gokudera's biggest moments of idiocy ever. That makes it a redemption scene too, and it's a damn good one. For a moment he did forget what it meant to be a team supporting Tsuna together, and Yamamoto righteously knocked some sense back into him, and it worked, and then they kicked some ass, and all was goodwell, except for the torture XD. Regardless of whether you're into 8059, there's no denying these two make a great team, and this scene is a perfect example of that.
8. "Then..."
This scene simultaneously makes me ;_; and also makes me proud. He's being tortured, he thinks he's about to die, he thinks Yamamoto may already be dead... and he still doesn't give Gamma one inch. Go to hell, I'm not telling you a single fucking thing that might help you hurt my boss. This scene, right here, is exactly why I love Gokudera so much. He is just that goddamned loyal, right till the end if need be. Thank god Hibari showed up at the last second, though. XD
9. "And to be able to use this C.A.I... I must have five wave energies coursing through me!"
I rambled a lot about this back when this chapter first came out, but this scene still freaking amazes me. While some of the characters, like Yamamoto, have been called naturals and are easily able to pick things up and learn new techniques, in general that hasn't really been the case for Gokudera. He has to work a little harder to reach that level; it's his determination and intelligence that have let him keep up with the others. This is the exception. The Sistema C.A.I. requires him to be able to use five different types of wave energies, something that is virtually unheard of. And he can do it. He does it easily, and he does it well, and once he clues in on how to do it, the rest of the system does come naturally to him. It's cool and powerful and his alone, something that only he can do. And I just think it's fucking awesome.
10. "This is my... no... OUR resolution!"
See Gokudera.
See Gokudera kick ass with the Sistema C.A.I.!
See Gokudera take some hits and stumble, on the verge of losing.
See Gokudera watch as his cute little kitty turns AWESOME SUDDENLY and fights to protect him!
See Gokudera realize that he's not fighting alone.
See Gokudera come full circle as he realizes that teamwork goes both ways. It's not just a matter of either fighting alone or supporting the other Vongola. He can let the others support him, as well.
See Gokudera take on Gamma one more time, trusting and relying on Uri to take out the black foxes.
See Gokudera GO FIGHT WIN.
Go, Gokudera. Fight. Win. o/
Happy Birthday you loyal relentless nucleus-circling Storm Guardian you. ♥ Maybe Amano will celebrate this week by finally telling us what the hell happened to you. XD
In the end, I decided to scrap the idea of a fic entirely, and just do something essayish instead. Because if I can't write coherently, then damn it, I CAN AT LEAST RAMBLE!!1
So, here is a tribute to our dear Storm Guardian in the form of a List. Specifically, a List of My Top Ten Favorite Gokudera Moments. In chronological order, because I can't rank for beans.
1. "What the hell is this!? The one I follow is the Tenth, not the Ninth!"
The entire promotion chapter is awesome, of course, but this is probably my favorite scene, because it just shows that here they are, testing his loyalty, and he passes right from the get-go. Throughout this entire chapter, his only focus is on Tsuna. The only reason he has any conflict at all is because he wants to make sure he makes the best decision for Tsuna. I REALLY DON'T THINK HIS LOYALTY IS A PROBLEM HERE.
2. "Boss... please escape."
I am. A sucker. For scenes where someone sacrifices him/herself for someone else. And this is like the perfect example of such a scene. There's Gokudera, being all selfless, taking the hit for the Tenth, and then of course on top of that he also has do the whole whispering-for-them-to-escape-don't-worry-about-meeeee thing as well. God, Dera, break my heart why don't you. ;_;
3. "I wanted to see the fireworks again..."
And this is quite possibly still my favorite scene in the entire series. Finally, finally, Gokudera realizes that it isn't his value as a subordinate or right-hand man that matters to Tsuna or the others, but his value as a person. The struggle right before this scene, where he's desperately rationalizing why it would be okay to die at that moment, and then the look on his face when Tsuna finally gets through to him ("So that everyone can laugh together again!! If you die, then all that no longer has any meaning, does it?!")--it's such an intense scene, and it all comes down to this quiet moment when he reappears in the aftermath. "I'm sorry Tenth. The ring was taken. I wanted to see the fireworks again... so I've come back." He finally understands that to Tsuna, him returning alive is so much more important than anything else. It's such a huge moment for his character that I just... oi. It's one of those moments where you want to cry and punch him at the same time, you know? GOKUDERA YOU OH GOD I LOVE YOU YOU RETARDED EMO BOMB CHILD.
4. "I don't have time to play with you at leisure. Eat this!"
This scene is one that I love just because it's one of those (sadly) rare moments where Dera is not only badass, but is SMART and badass. He purposely goads Levi into opening his parabolas so that he can take them out with his rocket bombs. It's done brilliantly and it just goes to show that when he's NOT charging in like a hotheaded dumbass, he really is a very smart and very capable fighter. Levi is both outwitted and outclassed; the reader is left to bask in Gokudera's awesome. (Also, this may just be the only time he's ever unquestionably won a fight. XDDD)
5. "Hang in there, stupid cow. The lightning ring... belongs to you."
AWWW HE DOES CARE. ;_; I just love this scene because of the contrast between how Gokudera typically treats Lambo, and how he treats him here. He's worried, he's careful, and he's downright gentle, which is just astounding when you think about how he normally acts. I mean, LOOK AT HIS FACE. He really does have a heart of gold underneath all of his rage and stubbornness and bitchery, and this scene demonstrates that better than almost any other, especially since Tsuna isn't even involved. It's just him being a good guardian and looking out for the other guardians, and damn but it makes me awww.
6. "Heh, you didn't have to tell me. I've always been... determined!!"
THIS IS JUST LISTED HERE FOR THE OMG BADASS. I mean, this moment still gives me chills. HELL YES DETERMINATION IS ONE QUALITY THAT GOKUDERA DEFINITELY DOES NOT LACK. AND THEN FWOOSH GOES THE FLAME, AND OUT COMES THE SKULL AND WHEEE SOO COOOOLLL. LOOK, LOOK HOW COOL HE IS.
...socool.
7. "Fool. I'm the right-hand man. I don't do close calls."
This scene (and the entire battle before it) is a favorite because it's teamwork and character development and badass all rolled into one. I still get a kick out of seeing Yamamoto and Gokudera double-teaming Gamma together, and it's all the more amazing for following right on the heels of one of Gokudera's biggest moments of idiocy ever. That makes it a redemption scene too, and it's a damn good one. For a moment he did forget what it meant to be a team supporting Tsuna together, and Yamamoto righteously knocked some sense back into him, and it worked, and then they kicked some ass, and all was good
8. "Then..."
This scene simultaneously makes me ;_; and also makes me proud. He's being tortured, he thinks he's about to die, he thinks Yamamoto may already be dead... and he still doesn't give Gamma one inch. Go to hell, I'm not telling you a single fucking thing that might help you hurt my boss. This scene, right here, is exactly why I love Gokudera so much. He is just that goddamned loyal, right till the end if need be. Thank god Hibari showed up at the last second, though. XD
9. "And to be able to use this C.A.I... I must have five wave energies coursing through me!"
I rambled a lot about this back when this chapter first came out, but this scene still freaking amazes me. While some of the characters, like Yamamoto, have been called naturals and are easily able to pick things up and learn new techniques, in general that hasn't really been the case for Gokudera. He has to work a little harder to reach that level; it's his determination and intelligence that have let him keep up with the others. This is the exception. The Sistema C.A.I. requires him to be able to use five different types of wave energies, something that is virtually unheard of. And he can do it. He does it easily, and he does it well, and once he clues in on how to do it, the rest of the system does come naturally to him. It's cool and powerful and his alone, something that only he can do. And I just think it's fucking awesome.
10. "This is my... no... OUR resolution!"
See Gokudera.
See Gokudera kick ass with the Sistema C.A.I.!
See Gokudera take some hits and stumble, on the verge of losing.
See Gokudera watch as his cute little kitty turns AWESOME SUDDENLY and fights to protect him!
See Gokudera realize that he's not fighting alone.
See Gokudera come full circle as he realizes that teamwork goes both ways. It's not just a matter of either fighting alone or supporting the other Vongola. He can let the others support him, as well.
See Gokudera take on Gamma one more time, trusting and relying on Uri to take out the black foxes.
See Gokudera GO FIGHT WIN.
Go, Gokudera. Fight. Win. o/
Happy Birthday you loyal relentless nucleus-circling Storm Guardian you. ♥ Maybe Amano will celebrate this week by finally telling us what the hell happened to you. XD
no subject
Yay |D