[attr="class","beck"]the love ball. how fitting.

"thank you, chu-e."

he lifts his hand, allowing the pyukumuku to slide onto his shoulder. its sticky mucous slowly drips down his shirt.

"did you know this can be used to soothe sunburned skin?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

"Nope."

It's kind of cute, how the pokemon makes itself comfortable on THEO BECKETT.

"I really don't know that much about ocean pokemon. Other than the few I keep, anyway."

His mind drifts to his Wailord, of all things.

"This is more exciting than stamp collecting. What are their names?"

[attr="class","beck"]"names?"

it seems only natural to give them names but the thought had never occured to him, perhaps buried too deep to ever surface.

"i didn't give them any."

he peers down at the water-type on his shoulder.

"you can name her, though."

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

"Not any of them?"

He hums, not surprised, at least; sometimes he felt like one of the odd-ones out naming his pokemon in Rocket.

"What about..."

Well, Pyukumuku were called 'Sea Bunnies', right? And Chu-e thought of an old myth he had read so...

"Rabbit would be a cute name."

[attr="class","beck"]"rabbit."

he repeats the name with a surprising amount of ease that it almost catches him off guard. he does smile, however, as he reaches a hand up to pat the pyukumuku.

"it's cute. fits her well."

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

Chu-e can't help but grin at the approval of the name, an old habit he had never had the chance to break. Once upon a time, he had chased Theo's approval like a sunflower turning towards the sun.

A hand is tucked into his candy pouch, the pink lemonade sucker inside unwrapped and clicking between his teeth.

Then.

"Are you fucking Gavin?"

Almost innocent.

[attr="class","beck"]tension comes naturally, causing the smile to thin.

"i was."

perhaps the encounter with Rowan Wrynn had prepared him enough to not be blindsided. either way, he shrugs.

"but not anymore."

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

"Shame."

The sucker is pulled from his lips with a small 'pop'.

"The other day we were chatting in his office. He slipped up and talked about you like the moon rose in your eyes."

[attr="class","beck"]"what..."

words catch in his throat, unable to break through layers. he clears his throat, willing them out.

"what did he say?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

"He thought," Words slow, teasing.

Then Chu-e leans in a bit, lowers his voice.

"That he might have been in love with you back in Kanto."

Leaning back, he pops the sucker back in his mouth.

"Personally, I think he still is."

[attr="class","beck"]"..."

he should've let them stayed buried.

after a long moment of silence, he voices:

"he still is."

turning away, he steps over to one of the vacant tanks. he brings a hand up, slides it under rabbit, and gently lifts her off him before placing her on a rock twice her size.

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

Chu-e watches, eyes sharp, but steps over to one of the other tanks to peer inside.

"What about your feelings? Do you still love him?"

Sweet sugar stains his tongue pink.

[attr="class","beck"]rabbit settles against the rock, comfortable. she lets out a soft purr, drawing a smile from him.

it lingers.

"i do."

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi