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their bubble doesn't burst, not yet, not when the night's not over.[break][break]

the residual heat lingers and warms him as she leans into his side. they're both disheveled and short of breath, but that's to be expected. he tries to match his breathing with hers as an attempt to collect himself.[break][break]

she's right: they still have time. even if tonight ends they'll have tomorrow. and the next day. and the next day. there's no end in sight, at least not currently, maybe not ever, and that excites him.[break][break]

but for tonight, he's happy with just chilling.[break][break]

the rolling waves provide for a therapeutic atmosphere. he loses himself in the moment: under the stars, by the beach, next to her. he doesn't feel her touch on his hand but it's the thought that counts. it almost feels nice, like it's normal.[break][break]

"i don't want to go back." he leans his head against hers as he lets his eyes drift out towards the sea. "i have another month or two left before they can discharge me. i don't think i can survive that long." a chuckle looks to break the tension if there's any. "fuck, i make it sound like prison."[break][break]

his other hand reaches over, hovering over her hand as his fingers gently caress the bare surface of her soft skin.[break][break]

"i'll come visit you."

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[attr="class","euterpetag"]Bailey Cooper

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late<3

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all the wrong that's present in the world: in rocket, in league, in people, none of that matters in the moment, not when he has her linked around his neck, not when she's guiding him down onto the sand, not when their lips meet. [break][break]

they don't stop because doing so would tempt bursting the bubble they've created. the only time they are apart is to catch their breath, to smile, to admire their partner. suddenly, he doesn't see the prosthetic as a prosthetic. his mind is rid of concern, of anxiety, and in that moment, he feels alive because:[break][break]

she's given him purpose.[break][break]

purpose comes in forms of movement: a tug of a jacket, a caress of the cheek. all his weight rests on his right hand to allow his left to roam free, to explore. his hand slides underneath her shirt, relishing the warmth her skin provides.[break][break]

it's not enough.[break][break]

clothes disappear as quickly as their worries do.[break][break]

more.[break][break]

~

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[attr="class","euterpetag"]Bailey Cooper

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please don't report me

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they're young, they're stupid, and is that such a bad thing? their youth is what separates them; it's what sets them apart from the rest and not embracing it would be a waste. he thinks back to the ruins, to regirock, to how alive he felt. for someone who aimlessly wanders, that feeling is a rarity and a blessing.[break][break]

"me too," he agrees with her: he would do it all over again.[break][break]

there's barely any room for recklessness in the league and yet somehow, they're making it work. their stupidity is working. maybe two wrongs do make a right; the thought enlightens him as he finishes off the burger. a quick wipe of his mouth and he's done. he's satisfied.[break][break]

the tension in the air isn't unrecognized; he's aware of it, and the moment he hears his name, his heart skips. the air between them sizzles and practically boils when she closes the gap and suddenly he finds himself looking down into her eyes. she's shorter but he has always liked that. she stops but her eyes betray her, making her intentions clear and his are similar.[break][break]

their breath mixes. a single second feels stretched out as his heart thumps because this is what he's longed for. this is why he ran towards her in the ruins. this is why he accepted the promotion. this is why he's here tonight, on the beach, sitting under the stars, with her.[break][break]

he kisses her. his fingers finds her cheek, caressing, brushing at the bare surface of her skin; his touch is gentle, soft, as he further leans into her. she made him feel safe in the ruins and tonight is no different.[break][break]

tonight, they're in their own little bubble.

[attr="class","euterpeline"]

[attr="class","euterpetag"]Bailey Cooper

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MWAH but for real

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they are alone.[break][break]

a quick glance left and right tells him that much: the beach is void of any other souls because no one visits it this late into the night. he's not sure if it's a good or a bad thing but if he has to garner a guess, he'd pick the former. even if it isn't, he'll make it so.[break][break]

he waits until she takes a bite before starting on his. the colorful combination of flavors mix and flourish as he chews; it's then that he realizes how deprived he has been of flavor. hospital food is bland and literally pales in comparison. he plans on cherishing it for as long as he can.[break][break]

she asks a question. "it's weird." he answers truthfully. "i don't think i'll ever get used to it, but it's better than nothing." with the burger in his grasps, he lifts it up slightly and slowly, but surely, sticks his pinky up. "still can't feel it, though." a soft laugh escapes him as he lowers it.[break][break]

a thought that's been on his mind slowly resurfaces and for moments, he contemplates bringing it up. he looks over to her as if she'd help influence his decision. he shifts his gaze out towards the ocean.[break][break]

"i don't have any regrets," a pause, a moment. "in the ruins. when we were facing regirock. i don't regret running towards you." a question arises from his statement that doesn't need to be said: why did he run?[break][break]

"just needed you to be safe."[break][break]

silence fills the air for moments; he interrupts it by taking another bite of the burger. there's not much left to savor.

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[attr="class","euterpetag"]Bailey Cooper

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--

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it's the small things that he appreciates: like how she hands him the helmet instead of throwing it at him like she normally does. his gratitude is expressed through his smile and a soft nod as he extends his good hand out to take the helmet. "how thoughtful," he says as he secures it on his head, straps locked and all. her words don't manage to fill him with relief because he doesn't have any concerns to begin with. he left it behind when he soared down that balcony.[break][break]

tonight, even if only for one night, he wants to forget the past and just enjoy the present.[break][break]

she allows him to do just that.[break][break]

--[break][break]

"it's beautiful," the stars, the night sky that shines so brightly; the moon is full as it sends its moonlight down, cascading over the rolling waves of the ocean, reflecting onto the cool sands of the beach that's riddled with footsteps: theirs.[break][break]

he wasn't lying: it truly is a nice weather for a walk.[break][break]

the prosthetic arm isn't entirely useless. he holds the burger that's wrapped in foil in his prosthetic only because he doesn't mind if it gets dirty; he can't feel it regardless. it allows his other hand to be free, swaying by his side as his feet sinks into the sand with each step he takes.[break][break]

"here?"[break][break]

he stops to ask his partner. it's a nice spot along the beach, quiet and isolated, allowing them a chance to escape.

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[attr="class","euterpetag"]Bailey Cooper

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<3

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he can't contain his laughter at the sight of a meowstic using its psychic abilities to use a door as batting weapon. a door! of all things! the two seem to be in unison about not giving a fuck about the mission anymore as she flashes her phone towards him. "looks good. i'm sure punchie would appreciate." punchie of course being his pancham.[break][break]

and then the door breaks into two. literally smacked into gengar's face. his laughter continues even when gaea finishes it off with an AQUA TAIL. the gengar dissipates into nothing and suddenly it's not as cold. how strange.[break][break]

well, mission over.[break][break]

gaea slithers back over to him; he already has his hand extended out to scratch her chin. for a dragon, she seems to have a lot of dog-like behaviors. not that he minds; it's cute.[break][break]

"i guess we're done." much easier than originally thought. with a shrug, he recalls gaea and turns to leave. by the stairs, not the forsaken elevator.[break][break]

"so, pancham express?"

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[attr="class","euterpetag"]Bailey Cooper

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aaaaaa

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"nah, i doubt it." he might work out but there's no comparison: hers is superior in every way, even with a road rash.[break][break]

feels like zip-lining isn't exactly reassuring. "please don't drop me, tink." he says a joke because for whatever reason, he trusts the togekiss. besides, if he falls then he could at least land on the other arm. what's better than one metal arm? two metal arms. unstoppable as fuck.[break][break]

the soar down isn't as rough as he thought it would be; he enjoys it, all of it: the wind flowing through his hair, the uneasy feeling in his stomach, even the landing, which again, is smooth all things considered. "thanks, tink." his partner's landing is about the polar opposite, which he laughs at. it's easy to forget that pokemon have personalities, too.[break][break]

he mimics her grin at the sight of her keys. "you broke me out, cooper. don't you have a plan?" knowing her, most likely not. "you hungry?" asking, he gestures back to the hospital for a moment. "hospital food is horrible. i've been dying in there. you'd think they'd treat their patients better." a pause.[break][break]

a beat.[break][break]

"you remember the burger stand by the beach? near the swanna, that bar we hit up a couple weeks ago." it was a fun night even if he can't remember most of it. "let's grab burgers from there then head to the beach. i hear the weather's nice for a walk." a smile.[break][break]

"call it a date."

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[attr="class","euterpetag"]Bailey Cooper

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MWAH