If Mars had known who was blowing up Cian’s phone, and their reasons to do so, he would have told him to answer without a question.
[break][break]
But, alas, he didn’t, so Cian’s phone was ignored much alike his own – POG Bank CEO forever being the kind of busy man someone seems to be trying to reach at all times, no matter what.
[break][break]
Too bad for those people that today Mars’ time belongs solely to Cian.
[break][break]
Too bad that, even later on, he doesn’t even think of looking at his phone, a smile ever present as he lays by his side.
[break][break]
”Slateport looks much better from up here, huh? I never liked the city much.” He confesses with a chuckle, but he doesn’t even look out the window, instead looking at Cian.


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

”Yeah? I don’t think you ever told me… Why Rustboro? Did you grow up there?”
[break][break]
Rustboro has never been a place to which Mars has given much thought, and the time he has spent there lately has mostly been because of Cian (along with the occasional visit to the bank branch). Still, he can understand being fond of a place because of the good moments that have been spent there, and he may even have a different and new appreciation for the city because of the times they have spent together – just like he does for this office.
[break][break]
A hand gently brushes a strand of hair away from Cian’s face, offering him a small smile.
[break][break]
”I think the sub’s a bit too dark and too cramped for my taste, so no, I haven’t.” He chuckles, because leave it to Mars to judge things before even giving them a shot. ”I didn’t know you had a room there though. What’s your roommate like? Anyone I know?”


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

There are many things Mars doesn’t know about Cian, but as small as it may be, he’s always glad to find out something new – even if it’s the bad things they’d rather not speak of. Perhaps, even especially those, since he knows sharing them is not something he’d do with just anyone.
[break][break]
Still, this time, as Cian talks about Rustboro and about becoming a gym trainer, Mars simply watches him, his brow furrowing oh so slightly.
[break][break]
The hand that had brushed away a strand of hair reaches lower, if only to poke his cheek. ”Stop that.” And then, a soft smile – an understanding one. ”You know you’re a good trainer, Cian. I bet the other guy didn’t stand a chance.” He doesn’t need to have been there to know it, he’s confident he’s right.
[break][break]
And the same cheek that had been poked is then kissed, his next words a mere whisper. ”It’s okay to be good at things you don’t like.” This too he also knows, because there’s plenty of things Mars himself hates and is good at. Too good, perhaps.
[break][break]
But it’s Cian’s next comment that draws him away from all this, and after taking a second to take in this new information, he can't help but chuckle. ”Jayden? Really? I know him. We’re friends, actually... He’s nice.”
[break][break]
He's also been to jayden cross's home, actually, and thinking on it really makes him wonder why either of them would want to spend any more time than what's necessary at the submarine. Then again, not everyone has his reasons to dread it, do they?

[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

The pout is adorable, as they always are, and although it's a shame that it fades all too quickly, Mars is glad to see Cian smile.
[break][break]
The question, on the other hand, he’s not so glad about, because the things Mars is good at that he hates are not at all things that it’s easy to talk about. They’re the things his family has made sure he excels at. Many of the things that probably make him an asset in Team Rocket’s eyes. Does he want to talk about all that with Cian?
[break][break]
”Honestly, I could tell you something kind of funny like how I fucking hate modeling eventhough my shots are always damn great, and it’s true, but…” While there was a grin at first, it then fades, and he sighs. A hand holds Cian’s, gently squeezing as their fingers intertwine. His words are no more than a whisper. ”...My family raised me to be good at a lot of things, and most of them are things I sometimes wish I didn’t know how to be good at… or how to do at all, actually.”
[break][break]
While there are no details, it’s still the truth, because Cian deserves that much and because – even though he doesn’t completely understand it – Mars wants to share these thoughts and feelings with Cian. The thoughts and feelings he has never before shared with anyone.
[break][break]
So, in a way, he’s glad for the change of topic, because while there are many things he can’t stand, Jayden is someone he actually likes, even if Cian’s comment does raise questions in his mind.
[break][break]
Is Jayden doing alright?
[break][break]
Mars knows, for the most part, because even if he doesn’t boast about it, he does try to keep up with things – especially with how his friends are.
[break][break]
”Mmm… Last I saw him was on my birthday? I think I told you about going to his place… I heard he was in Sootopolis though, and I know nothing happened to him, but I haven’t really checked in with Rocket ever since all that.”
[break][break]
A shrug.
[break][break]
He’s been avoiding it, really, but he knows he will have to stop by the submarine soon enough. After all, the consequences of Sootopolis have also fallen on him even beyond of his affiliation with Team Rocket, because it sure fucked a lot of things up business wise even if Mars had prepared for that.


[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

Sootopolis. Even if he hasn’t been given the exact details, Mars can easily make a few guesses as to why he didn’t have to be there that day. People like him have a value beyond the obvious battlefield, and for those who do know his real identity, they’d probably find it detrimental to risk the injury or death of the only heir to an organization with which they often do business and trade. The Marzáns run a powerful and excellently managed operation, and they’re valuable contacts to have. As much as Mars may despise them, he does admire them for that. Hell, his grandfather may have even pulled a few strings, and this thought itself upsets him.
[break][break]
The reasons why Cian wasn’t at Sootopolis escape him though, and while he’s incredibly glad, he has wondered about it. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t have been told to be there, and yet he wasn’t. Why? Is there something Mars doesn’t know? Did someone not want Cian there? If so, his father would be the obvious option, but there’s no way to be sure.
[break][break]
But, as curious as he is, Mars doesn’t ask, because he has a feeling Cian may not have even considered all that.
[break][break]
”Yeah, me too… I would have worried if you had been.” This much is true, and he had worried about it from the moment he found out about Team Rocket’s plans for Sootopolis. Whoever it was that had stopped Cian from being called up, Mars was thankful for what they had done.
[break][break]
”No one should be forced to do that sort of stuff…” He sighs, because Mars knows better than anyone that life will never be as easy as that. His gaze meets Cian’s. ”Does it scare you?”
[break][break]
Fear is something he himself hasn't felt in a long time, not over that sort of stuff. His family had made sure of that.



[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER

Cian is a good trainer, and Mars has trust in that, but a pokémon battle is a controlled environment, and there was little that was ‘controlled’ about the way things went down at Sootopolis.
[break][break]
He’s sure Cian must realize as much, and the sound of his laughter reassures him of this even if ever so slightly.
[break][break]
”You’re a great trainer, actually, but I think I prefer you being great right here – with me.” With these words, there’s a smile, one that is soon followed by a quick and gentle kiss.
[break][break]
And yet, it’s also a smile that fades as he looks at Cian, because his next words are nothing to smile about. What he does instead is squeeze his hand, perhaps if only as a reminder that it’s fine.
[break][break]
But, is it really fine?
[break][break]
”Hey…” Even if it’s not something Mars himself feels towards this, it’s still something he can understand, because fear is something that had hold of his life for a long time. The same fear that was challenged time and again until he grew numb. ”...I know.”
[break][break]
His own hatred is not something that has been numbed though. Especially not the hatred he feels towards everything that once made him weak.
[break][break]
”You probably won’t believe me, but… I think it’s much worse when you stop being scared. It's not a bad thing, Cian.”



[break][break]

+ CIAN MAHER