’This shit sucks.’
[break][break]
Cian’s complaints are expected, but they’re also not unjustified. Mars can understand exactly how he feels, since he too can’t stand being told what to do, especially when they already had plans that had to be altered because of this.
[break][break][break]
Still, better a mission during a yacht trip than a mission under most circumstances, right? It’s not what’s best and it’s not what they had wished for, but they’re here – together, on a nice late summer day, under the sun, and before the ocean. If you ask him, that’s all a nice silver lining to this whole stupid Castform deal.
[break][break]
”Aw, cariño, don’t be like that.”
[break][break]
An arm easily finds its way around Cian’s waist, pulling him close. Naturally, the gesture comes in the company of a peck at his cheek, and Mars smirks, looking at him.
[break][break]
”You know we’ll still have a great time.”
[break][break]
They will. He’ll make sure of it, because he sure as hell isn’t letting Team Rocket ruin their plans. Fuck that.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

they'll probably still have a great time, cian knows as much, he just likes complaining about things especially when they're out of his control.

it's times like these where he's especially grateful to have mars in his life.

all it takes is a simple peck to pull him back into the moment.

"fine, you're right, but how long until we get this done?"

he looks back to the few castform floating around the yacht. they look happy, peaceful, so it's a shame that they'll be left all on their own after this.

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

In truth, as much as Mars wants to be upset about the mission and tells himself he should be, he isn’t really. He knows he would be if the circumstances were different: if it weren’t so insignificant of a task, if he weren’t with Cian, if they were someplace else. Things aren’t different, though, and as much as he’ll pretend he does, he doesn’t really mind the Castform or the task at hand.
[break][break]
It is too easily that his gaze finds the water, watching the small waves that will soon meet the hull of the yacht. Spindrift rises with every clash, and the air itself is filled with the sea’s brine. A deep breath brings back memories and a strange feeling of comfort, and Mars finds himself wishing they could at least go for a swim or even a dive.
[break][break]
Call of the void, song of the deep.
[break][break]
Sometimes, in the past, the pull of the ocean hadn’t been a good thing. On this day, it is.
[break][break]
”We should be there in a few minutes. Seems like a pretty small island, remote as fuck too… Wonder what they want the Castform there for.”
[break][break]
What the hell does Team Rocket want with a place like that, anyway?
[break][break]
Turning to Cian, there's a smirk.
[break][break]
”You think they’ll care if we just chill at the beach afterwards?”



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

if cian stops to really think about it, it'd make sense to him to have castform up in remote locations like the one they're headed to. abnormalities in the weather often happen far out, and with these castform set up, it'd give them firsthand insight and knowledge.

this doesn't occur to him at the moment, however, as he'd much rather just bitch and complain.

"nah, i'm sure they'll be fine with that as long as their precious castform are set up and in place."

the smirk is mirrored.

"why? what were you thinking?"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

”Well… It sure would be a shame if we went all the way out there and didn’t make the best of it, right?”
[break][break]
With that same smirk, whatever implications he may mean for these words to have, they are left exactly as they are: implied. Left for Cian to take a guess about, and of course Mars knows where his mind is bound to go by default. It’s more fun this way.
[break][break]
Still, the simple truth is that while a yacht trip is always nice, in Mars’ book, nothing quite beats being at the beach. It’s something he loves, and a place he’d gladly visit every single day of his life if he could. In a way, it’s a place where he feels at home, because beaches have always been filled with good memories and nothing more.
[break][break]
His hand slips down to find Cian’s, and their fingers intertwine.
[break][break]
”It’ll be fun, you’ll see.”
[break][break]
At this, he smiles.




[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

cian's mind wanders exactly where mars expects it to, but he makes no indications of it right now. it's a thought he'll save for later as he shifts his gaze out at the distant island that becomes less distant with every passing second.

"it will be. you'll make it fun, i'm sure."

their fingers intertwine and he smiles.

"we're following my plan to get through the wilderness, though."

with a wink, he says:

"which means we'll be running."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

”Don’t I always?”
[break][break]
He does, because it’s important for him to do so. Not just for Cian’s sake, but for his own; a coping mechanism he learned long ago. They can make his life hell, that can force him to do things he doesn’t want to do, but that doesn’t mean they’ll take his happiness away – he’ll never let them do that again, be it his family or be it Team Rocket.
[break][break]
”Running?”
[break][break]
He looks at Cian when echoing his words, matching his smile with one his own.
[break][break]
Thankfully, his recovery has gone relatively well over the month after that regrettable evening at Fallarbor Town, and it's been a few days since their morning runs returned to being a habit. He fucking missed it.
[break][break]
”Of course we’re running. Don’t be an asshole who leaves his cute boyfriend behind though.”
[break][break]
Knowing Cian, he’ll probably make him put all the effort in the world to keep up – not that Mars minds.



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

"ugh, i guess you do."

not only does mars make everything more fun, he makes everything better even when cian's feeling most down. it's impressive; he has no idea how mars does it but it's just a testament to what mars means to him.

"i'll try not to, but you have to try and keep up."

he reaches a hand over to mars' side, brushing against his skin before gently smacking him.

"you're all healed up, after all."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

”No, you know I do.”
[break][break]
There’s a laugh, and it’s followed by a kiss, because as reluctant as Cian’s response may seem, Mars knows he means it. It makes him glad, because doesn’t Cian’s happiness matter just as much as his own, after all?
[break][break]
”Just like you make things fun for me too.”
[break][break]
Fun, and amazing, and so much better than what they would be without him...
[break][break]
Even if he’s out here smacking his side when Mars just recovered from a fractured rib.
[break][break]
”Ow. If I deny it and cry in pain, do I get you kissing me better?”
[break][break]
Mars grins, looking at him.




[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

they make things fun for each other, and for cian, that's all he'll ever need.

"mars, you'll always get me kissing you better."

at this, he slaps him again, this time a bit harder.

"that's no reason for you to be faking it, though."

but, after rolling his eyes, he does lean up to kiss mars briefly before pulling away with a smirk. his hand brushes against his arm, idly caressing.

"i think we're almost here."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

”Aw, babe, you’re s–”
[break][break]
Obviously, as should only be expected, Cian doesn’t even let him finish the sentence, for a slap at his side interrupts him just as he's is about to mention how sweet Cian is. So much for that, huh? It’s not that hard, and it doesn’t really hurt that much, but the action is what counts here.
[break][break]
”Ow. You bitch.”
[break][break]
As it also should be obvious and expected, these words come with a smirk.
[break][break]
The kiss that follows is gladly reciprocated, Mars only finding himself looking away from Cian at the mention of almost being at the island.
[break][break]
They are, and the place looks completely uninhabited...
[break][break]
”Guess I better call some pokémon to take us to shore, since there is no dock. I’d say we could swim, but we do have the Castform to deal with.”





[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

you bitch.

that, he is. sorry, mars.

"call some pokemon? nah, we can swim it."

he looks back at the floating castform and steps over to them.

"you guys good to follow us?"

they all seem to nod, or at least they look at him which tells him that they're somewhat trained. cian gives them a thumbs up before turning back to mars.

"see? they'll follow."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

”Sure, but if any of them stay behind, you’re coming back to get them.”
[break][break]
Not like they would though, since apparently Team Rocket did a decent enough job with training the Castform… Or, they stole Castform that were already well-trained, at least. It’s probably the latter, it usually is. Still, they all nod (or at least look like they’re nodding) in response to Cian’s words, and honestly, it’s kind of adorable.
[break][break]
”Aw. Look at that: my boyfriend, the weather pokémon charmer.”
[break][break]
With a short laugh, Mars steps closer to the bow of the ship, staring directly at the island.
[break][break]
”Well… if we’re swimming…”
[break][break]
In a swift motion, his shirt is pulled off, then turning to look at Cian once more.
[break][break]
”Wanna make it a race to the shore?”
[break][break]
Of course Mars would want to race.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER