He draws her gaze back towards him, a hint of amusement. Small talk, nice, “Free time?” what a concept. Lately her free time has been taken up by him. There are only so many things she can push around to make time for some extra excursions in the field. Does she tell him that, though? Maybe not, “Nothing too different,” she shrugs, “Training, sleeping, recovering,” Searching for something, “There’s a science convention coming up too. Been trying to catch up on my reading for that so I can actually sound like I know what I’m talking about,” she laughs, but it’s true. Some of these scientists were leagues above her but she was excited to see their work., “What about you? Anything new and exciting in Hoenn?”

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]small talk just for the sake of it has never been his strong suit. but this is different in a way — because he's genuinely interested and wanting to learn more about her.

he nods, listening.

"that's bullshit. you know you'd be one of the most capable scientists there, eva."

despite knowing little of the field, his belief in her has never wavered. there's a reason she's a highly respected scientist. the league's head scientist, in fact.

when asked the same, he simply shrugs after a moment of thought.

"you take up all my free time, honestly."

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

Eva frowns, shaking her head, “Not all science is the same, Matias,” she explains, but he already knows that, “I’ve got medicine and stuff down but I am definitely lacking in physics and technology,” she knows her strength and weaknesses well. Half the reports go right over her head, that is Zenji’s department.

It’s actually not surprising to hear him say that considering it’s true for her too, “All of it?” she didn’t miss that. She stifles a small smile, “I won’t be offended if you do other things or hang out with other people, you know,” It’s partially a tease, partially an out for him to take, create distance.

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]did he say all? it must've slipped. regardless, he doesn't take her offered out even if a part of him wants to.

"i know."

but it's difficult not to. he pauses for a moment, then turns to look at her, shrugging.

"nothing else interests me as much as you do."

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

“Hm,” Dangerous. She occupies herself with a sip of whiskey, the last of it, “It’s healthy to have other hobbies,” she pushes, refusing to believe she’s that interesting.

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]again, he responds with the same:

"i know."

he extends a hand out, gesturing to her now-empty glass. they're both due for a refill.

"but you aren't a hobby."

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

She hands him the empty glass. A knot twists in her stomach from the fear that comes along with foreign feelings. Fine, she bites, “Then what am I?”

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]he takes the empty glass, then rises to his feet. her question stops him but he doesn't hesistate. he peers down at her, offering a soft smile to perhaps comfort.

"what would you like to be?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

She looks up at him, his comforting smile is met with furrowed brows as he turns the question back around at her, “I asked you,” petty, but she’s stubborn. Just like him. But after a moment, she gives him an answer, “Nothing,” it may be the first time she’s lied to him, but it’s the easiest answer, the safest.

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]it's not an answer he wants to hear, that much he realizes when it leaves him feeling lonely in a way he can't quite describe yet.

his lips thin into a line — it's the first tell he gives.

"okay."

stepping away, he leaves for the kitchen, too distracted to remember to grab his own glass — his second tell.

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

She didn’t mean it. She regrets it immediately after she says it. That much is clear in the way the knot in her stomach tightens painfully. It makes her retreat into herself as she sinks deeper into the couch, drawing her legs up to rebuild the defenses she let him shatter. She doesn’t say anything, only fixates on the empty glass he forgot to take with him. Too distracted by her own pain, she doesn’t notice his change in demeanor. This feeling reminds her of when she left Kanto, losing something she loved. That’s why ‘nothing’ is best. That way, there’s nothing to lose.

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]he misses the way she sinks deeper into the couch but would he have done anything regardless? would he have said anything? the answer is lost in the pouring of whiskey. he reaches for another glass and does the same again.

matias lingers in the kitchen for moments even after he's done but he finds no comfort in solitude where he once might have. he exhales tension, then returns with two drinks, extending one over to her.

"here."

for the briefest of moments, he contemplates where to sit, but ends up where he once was and where he had always found comfort: next to her.

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

She listens to the sound of his movements and the familiar pour of the whiskey into a glass. Eva doesn’t look at him until he hands her the drink. Even then it’s a quick glance with the smallest of smiles, “Thank you,” she draws it in, wrapping her hands around it as if it was a warm cup of coffee.

Sipping, her mind runs wild. She keeps a firm gaze on the amber liquid. Does she apologize? Does she let it go? Is pushing him away the right move? Regret may be what she fears most in life. She doesn’t regret today, but would she regret not being truthful?

What would hurt more? Having him then losing him or never having him at all?

MATIAS SILPH