Surely there must be something they can do about Cian Junior’s pokéball, right? Can they even get him a new one if the old one hasn’t been destroyed? Considering how many years Mars has spent being involved in illegal pokémon trade, he should probably know the answers to those questions, but things like pokéball dilemmas always seemed too menial for him to bother with before.
[break][break]
So, he makes a mental note to ask Andrea about it, of course.
[break][break]
”What do you mean? You know you can bring him with you when you visit, that’s not a problem.”
[break][break]
His smile is warm, and although he doesn’t say it, the thought that Cian could just stay at the penthouse instead of visiting lingers for a moment.
[break][break]
Is that what he wants?


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

cian has no idea how pokeballs work in general even if he should, even if most trainers should. don't people go to school to study pokeball design or something? engineering? he remembers seeing a few courses for it at slateport university.

"you sure?"

he returns the smile as he shrugs a shoulder.

"i wouldn't want him to intrude or whatever."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

”Why would he intrude?”
[break][break]
It seems silly to Mars, considering how much time Cian actually spends at the penthouse or at his office. Hell, he could practically live at Mauville Hills by this point, so him bringing over the Castform wouldn’t change anything for them. But, while this is obvious, he also knows why it’s probably best not to point it out so blatantly...
[break][break]
Even if he wishes Cian would realize that he’s never intruding…
[break][break]
That out of all people, he never could be...
[break][break]
Raising a hand, he reaches for him, poking his cheek.
[break][break]
”Didn’t we say he’s our new family member? He wouldn’t intrude… The Meowths at the bank might try to play a little too rough with him, though.”
[break][break]
At this, there’s a chuckle, but Mars holds his gaze regardless.
[break][break]
”You never intrude either, Cian.”


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

there's silence after mars asks his first question because, honestly, at times cian does feel like he's intruding. at the office, for example — should he really be visiting all that often?

it's pulling mars away from things, from his work, from his life, and while cian can be more than selfish at times, he can also feel self-conscious.

but again, he doesn't say any of this.

"will you step in if they get too rough with him?"

he sounds like a worried parent, of all things.

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

As Mars sees it, even if it may be distracting, having Cian there with him is always much better than when he’s not. He has a right to be there, and really, why wouldn’t Mars love every single visit? After all, it means Cian would rather spend time with him than with anyone else…
[break][break]
These are things Mars notices, and also some of the things that make him love him.
[break][break]
Just like how he notices the worries tone of Cian’s question, finding himself chuckling when he responds:
[break][break]
”Babe, nothing is going to happen to him, but yes, I promise I will.”
[break][break]
Why does it feel as if they’re actually talking about their kid?
[break][break]
It’s sweet, honestly.
[break][break]
”It makes me really happy when you visit, you know?”
[break][break]
Maybe this is said just because the thought crossed his mind, or maybe because he noticed the silence that originally followed his words and it reminded him of how important it is to reassure Cian sometimes.
[break][break]
Regardless, it’s the truth and there’s no denying that.



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

relief washes over him at mars' reassurance. good. he can't even bear the thought of anything ever happening to his castform even if they've only just met.

but what's that they say? something about love at first sight?

"does it?"

his insecurities slip out in the form of a question.

"should i do it more?"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

Nothing would happen to the Castform, Mars would make sure of that, but right now, at this very moment, his main concern isn’t the Castform but Cian.
[break][break]
Maybe it’s all the time they’ve spent together, maybe it’s how much he cares for him and how even if subconsciously he’s particularly observant when it comes to Cian, but when the question comes, the intent behind it is not hard to recognize.
[break][break]
”Cian.”
[break][break]
A hand cups his cheek, gently caressing it.
[break][break]
”If it were my choice I’d be with you all the time.”
[break][break]
It’s the truth, and it comes accompanied by a smile.
[break][break]
”So, yeah, you should.”



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

it's the truth, and cian makes sure to tell himself as much.

but if his words are true then what's stopping them? why aren't they spending most, if not all of their time together?

his voice lowers, dropping into a whisper.

"...do you want me to move in, mars?"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

’...Do you want me to move in, Mars?’
[break][break]
Honestly, Mars didn’t expect Cian to ask, even if he himself had thought of it more than a few times in the past.
[break][break]
Does he want Cian to move in?
[break][break]
Of course he does.
[break][break]
If it hadn’t been mentioned before, it was simply because he worried about Cian still wanting to have his place and his privacy, and that it all could maybe be moving too fast for his liking.
[break][break]
So, the question does surprise Mars, but he smiles about it, his response also coming as no more than a mere whisper between them.
[break][break]
”I’d love that, but only if that’s also what you want, Cian.”




[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

and now the question is: does cian want to move in?

he's given it some thought before, entertaining the idea, but he's never really seriously considered it. it would make a lot of sense seeing as how happy mars makes him, but the thought of spending all his time with another person is...scary.

he smiles, gentle.

"can i give you an answer later?"

so he can have some time to think.

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

It is scary, and that’s exactly why Mars didn’t mention it before; because while he himself has previous experience with being in a truly committed relationship, things are different for Cian. All this is new to him, not to mention that the last time he even thought he wanted to be in this sort of relationship with someone, things didn’t turn out all that well for him, did they?
[break][break]
Mars is painfully aware of all of that, and while he’ll never treat Cian like some easy-to-scared little baby Deerling, he will always try to be mindful of his fears and insecurities.
[break][break]
The response doesn’t hurt, since it is the sort of thing they should give themselves time to think about and properly consider.
[break][break]
”Take all the time you need, though granted, I will wonder about it, but that’s on me.”
[break][break]
He chuckles, poking Cian’s cheek before turning to look up at the clear skies above.
[break][break]
”I was thinking of maybe moving, anyway… That might not be for a while, though.”


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

it's only fair to both of them because the last thing he wants is to rush into it only to regret it later. it'd be unfair to mars.

so there is relief at mars' acceptance. he nods, appreciating it.

his gaze remains on mars even as he turns up to look at the clear skies.

"where to?"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

Where would he want to move to?
[break][break]
For a short moment, Mars thinks about it in silence, closing his eyes as he tries to imagine it.
[break][break]
His perfect home.
[break][break]
There’s the thought of having Cian by his side, Cian Junior too, and while there’s a few things he’d like to find at the house itself, the sound of the waves meeting the shore nearby remains above it all…
[break][break]
”I don’t know… I like the penthouse a lot, but I’ve always liked the idea of houses more. I’d also like to be closer to the beach… Maybe somewhere like this?”
[break][break]
An island home, away from all troubles?
[break][break]
Why not? He could get used to this, eventhough he knows it's not the most practical of dreams...
[break][break]
"...I'd probably still have to keep the penthouse because of work and stuff, but I bet it would be nice."


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER