Mars really should hold Cian to his end of the bet, because he had won their little race fair and square. But, honestly, as much as he had enjoyed the race, swimming itself had been fun enough, and while there are only a few things he loves more than when Cian cooks for him, maybe doing so in return once in a while would also be nice. Doing something for him would be nice.
[break][break]
So, Cian's selfishness is fine, because of course Mars wants to do things to make him happy.
[break][break]
Especially after everything that happened earlier.
[break][break]
Perhaps even as a way to make it up to him.
[break][break]
”Sure, but don’t blame me if you end up in the hospital.”
[break][break]
He won’t but the warning still comes with a laugh.
[break][break]
Then, giving Cian one last kiss, he stands, stretching before reaching down to offer him a hand, smiling.
[break][break]
"Come on, or we'll miss the sunset."



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

could he actually end up in the hospital? probably not, right? how can someone's cooking be that bad? these are the thoughts that run through his head at the simple joke, but he soon laughs it off, moving to stand as well.

he stretches his arms up, then his legs out, before turning to gesture at cian junior.

"come on, son."

the castform blinks, sleepy as he had just woken up, before floating on over to cian.

together, they step towards the water.

"wanna swim back or catch a ride?"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

If either of them did end up in the hospital, it would probably have more to do with one of the ingredients going bad than the actual cooking skills of the person responsible for the meal. Thankfully, Mars has enough common sense not to take a risk like that when on a yacht in the middle of the ocean and it’s not really like there’s a need. After all, he’s not about to make some incredibly complicated meal.
[break][break]
All thoughts of these cross his mind and are brushed away as soon as they come, instead being too preoccupied with watching Cian interact with the Castform. It’s too adorable, and it makes him smile, a hand reaching to pet the small pokémon when he also approaches the water.
[break][break]
”Oh. Ride for sure.”
[break][break]
Swimming back? Against the tide? When they’re this tired? No thanks, that sounds like a recipe for disaster, especially if they rush it.
[break][break]
A ride would be a much smarter choice, and that’s why Mars reaches for one of the pokéballs that had been safely kept within a closed pocket. In a flash of light, a Lapras is called out onto the water.
[break][break]
”Good enough for you?”




[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

swimming back would've been dreadful. they'd have to fight against the tide, the waves, and whatever lurked beneath murky waters that only get darker as the sun sets. that terrifies him, to be honest, and he's thankful when he sees the appearance of mars' lapras.

briefly, he wonders if mars has all the water-types out there.

"good enough for me. i don't have anything on me that can swim."

only swampert, but he had left most of his team back on the yacht.

approaching the lapras with a soft smile, he gets onto its back, ready to depart.

in the far distance, he can barely make out the shape of a floating castform — likely one from the family.

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

It may come as a surprise, but Mars doesn’t actually have all water type pokémon out there. He does have most, though, and he definitely has all the ones he’s particularly fond of. Lapras is one of them, having been among his favourites for as long as he can remember.
[break][break]
”Really? None? Damn, we should change that.”
[break][break]
He’s kidding, of course, as is made obvious by his smirk. Although... Cian could probably benefit from having a couple of water types that aren’t his Swampert. Rain Dance and all that, right? Then again, Mars is biased.
[break][break]
Not without first petting the Lapras, he too gets on its back, the instructions given being simple enough:
[break][break]
”Mind taking us back to the yacht.”
[break][break]
The pokémon is familiar with the ship, and it has no problem recognizing its destination in the distance.
[break][break]
Back to the yacht they go.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

cian really should get more water-types, or at least more pokemon that are comfortable fighting in a RAIN DANCE. he's not unfamiliar with them as he's trained a few of ALEXANDER STONE's pokemon in the past, even battled them on occasion, but it'd be nice to have his own now.

it's a thought left for some other time. right now, they float on back over to the yacht, soon boarding it as the sun continues to dip closer and closer to the horizon.

after climbing aboard, he turns to offer mars a hand.

"i think we have a bit of time before the sunset. wanna shower?"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

Cocytus, as is the name of Mars’ Lapras, easily makes its way towards the yacht, coming to a stop right next to the ship and patiently waiting for them to get off its back. A calm pokémon, except for when the times call for it not to be calm.
[break][break]
With a smile, Mars takes Cian’s hand as he steps onto the yacht, looking at him when the suggestion comes.
[break][break]
”That sounds amazing, I’m dying for a shower.”
[break][break]
A bit of an exaggeration, but it’s the truth nevertheless: it would be nice.
[break][break]
The Lapras is called back to its pokeball, and while still holding Cian’s hand, Mars steps farther in – towards the comfortable interior of the yacht.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

"me too."

and so they venture deeper into the yacht, disappearing behind walls and doors while cian junior remains outside, floating around but never leaving. just simply waiting for cian to eventually return, but it might be a while.

the thought of the sunset doesn't even occur to him as he steps into the shower, relishing the warmth of the water that runs down his shoulders.

"fuck. i needed that."

he smiles, chukling as he looks at mars.

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

The urgency is wanting to make it out in time to see the sunset is quickly forgotten, for as nice as it would be, as much as it would be a sweet moment to spend together, nothing quite beats the feeling of warm water falling upon his skin after a long day out by the sea and the beach – even if Cian is hogging most of the water, as per usual.
[break][break][break]
It earns him a poke at his side, one that comes accompanied by a chuckle and a smile on Mars’ part.
[break][break]
”Move a little, will you?”
[break][break]
Even though he says this, it’s not as if he really minds all that much, stepping closer under the water.
[break][break]
”I agree though, shower was a great idea.”
[break][break]
At this, he grins.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

it's not his fault the shower's too small for the both of them, but it definitely is his fault for hogging all the warm water. can't really blame him, though, he likes it when mars pouts and makes him move.

there's no pout this time; just an order.

"get in here with me, babe."

he laughs, knowing there isn't much space to begin with. so, being the good boyfriend that he is, he moves, allowing mars more of the water.

"i feel like i could just pass out in here. it feels so good."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

There is no pout, but there’s a smile, and there is the way he steps even closer than what he probably needs to because of how small the shower is. Close enough for them to share the water just fine.
[break][break]
”I know, but you better not pass out. Otherwise, who’s going to try the amazing food I’m going to put so much effort into making?”
[break][break]
He chuckles, but a hand reaches for Cian’s cheek, gently caressing and probably not helping with the whole “might pass out in here” thing.
[break][break]
”I’m glad we came here, you know?”
[break][break]
On the yacht. To the island. Even if it wasn’t perfect for every single second.
[break][break]
It is perfect now, and that’s what matters, is it not?


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

"oh shit. yeah, you're right. i can't miss that."

the gentle caress definitely doesn't help with the whole "might pass out in here" thing but it does feel amazing. it makes him feel safe, warm, and comfortable, and he finds himself leaning into the touch with ease.

"really? if we didn't we wouldn't have had our first fight."

but then again, if not here, then they would've eventually.

"i'm glad, too."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

It may not help, but maybe moments like these call for a little gentleness. It’s been a long day, and truth be told, all Mars really wants to do is spend the rest of it with him. So, the caressing remains, and he leans in closer, his forehead resting against Cian’s.
[break][break]
”It might have been our first fight, but I’m glad we talked about things instead of keeping it all to ourselves…”
[break][break]
Even if things weren’t all that amazing in the moment it happened, it will be for the best in the long run and Mars knows that.
[break][break]
Water falls, relaxingly warm, and there’s silence for a few seconds as Mars enjoys the feeling of every drop. A moment later, his next words are no more than a whisper between them:
[break][break]
”I love you, Cian.”



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER