Honestly, Mars can do no more than watch him interact with the Castform, chuckling at first because it all just seems so ridiculous. And yet, even if it does, there’s something about Cian’s words that warms his heart, and a gentle smile tugs at his lips even if he doesn’t realize as much.
[break][break]
”You’re so cute.”
[break][break]
He means it, and he too steps closer, looking over at the small group of Castform and then back at Cian. He meets his gaze, as he always seems to do so easily no matter where they are.
[break][break]
”Oh, that’s a big responsibility, but for you? Gladly. Plus, they’re cute enough to be our kids.”
[break][break]
Naturally, he too smirks at this.




[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

it's dangerous to imagine it but he does anyway: would they have kids together someday? their own little family? he'd want to live outside of hoenn, somewhere far away from danger, somewhere safe where they can simply be on their own and enjoy their lives.

it's a nice thought for as long as it lasts.

"then it's settled. welcome to the family, cian junior."

with a clap of his hands, he turns to the castform and pats it on its head, smiling.

"right. we should probably get going, huh?"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

’Welcome to the family, Cian Junior.’
[break][break]
It is ridiculous, but it’s also sweet, and just like at those moments Cian wonders if they will ever actually have their own little family someday, so does Mars, even if he knows he probably shouldn’t be thinking about all that. It would be nice. It would be perfect, actually, even if they’d probably have to leave Hoenn behind...
[break][break]
He likes the thought of it, but just like so many other things, this thought remains unspoken between them – added to the list of things that are unsaid.
[break][break]
”I can’t believe you named our first born without even asking for my opinion.”
[break][break]
He chuckles, following this by a smile as he reaches over to pet the Castform.
[break][break]
”Yeah, we should. Though if you start running, I might just kill you.”
[break][break]
He’s joking, of course.



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

"yeah, cause cian junior is the best name for our kid."

what else would they name it? mars junior? that just sounds like a chocolate bar.

"to kill me you'd have to catch up with me first."

which, as they both know, is unlikely to happen. so it's with a wink that cian steps away to herd the castform into a single file line before making his way into the jungle.

"this way, kids!"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

Excuse him? Martín is a perfectly good and adorable name, but then again, people in Hoenn would probably say it without the accent and ruin it forever since Martin sucks as a name. C’est la vie.
[break][break]
And speaking of Cian being rude to his perfect and amazing boyfriend...
[break][break]
”Oh, fuck you.”
[break][break]
Mars smirks, because yes, he probably won’t be able to catch up unless he cheats, but that doesn’t mean he won’t try.
[break][break]
”I can’t believe you’re actually making me run barefoot…”
[break][break]
And so, off they go with their Castform.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

fuck you.

"not in front of the children, babe."

honestly, mars needs to watch his language...

cian chuckles, grinning over his shoulder as he peers back at mars. and then, to be a pain, he picks up the speed just a little, not particularly minding how the earth feels beneath his feet.

the castform float on behind him, trailing closely.

"pick up the pace!"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

”You’re enjoying this way too much.”
[break][break]
Good thing it’s fucking cute and that Mars’ tolerance for things like these is much higher when it comes to Cian.
[break][break]
“Things like these” being both the teasing and the way Cian picks up the pace for the sole sake of being a pain, this resulting way too obvious because… well, it’s Cian. It’s kind of annoying, and it also makes Mars take a deep breath and try to remind himself of all the reasons he has not to be annoyed just as he starts running faster:
[break][break]
This is something Cian loves. He’s enjoying himself. There’s nothing quite like watching him run. He doesn’t usually look this happy or this free, does he?
[break][break]
Thinking of these things helps with calming all that competitive pettiness rising within him. If only just a little, at least.
[break][break]
”Oh, babe, don’t mind me. Just enjoying the view!”
[break][break]
He does get closer to catching up, but these words are also true.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

as they continue deeper into the jungle, it starts to get uncomfortably hot, especially with the sun shining down on them this bright. thankfully, one of the castform floats on over next to cian, nudging into his shoulder as he runs.

"cian junior! just the boy i wanted to see. do you mind making it rain?"

cian's no stranger to castform and their abilities. he's always wanted one for that reason.

with a nod, cian junior does a little shimmy before making it rain with a RAIN DANCE. it's cooling, to say the least.

"thanks, bud."

cian raises a fist to bump against the castform, smiling as he continues running.

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

It begins to drizzle, and as it does, a few things cross Mars’ mind.
[break][break]
Firstly, it would be nice for Cian to have his own Castform; he clearly likes them a lot and they would fit well with the way he likes to go about battling.
[break][break]
Secondly, is he really going to be okay with leaving all these Castform out here all on their own? Even Mars himself feels a little bad, even if he has no reason to care for them and being fully aware that the pokémon will probably be just fine. He’s probably developing a soft-spot from seeing Cian interact with them and be adorable. Ugh.
[break][break]
Thirdly, what the fuck are they doing, though?
[break][break]
They were already soaking wet to begin with, so it’s not like the rain matters all that much. If anything, it’s refreshing, but the circumstances are still really starting to annoy Mars.
[break][break]
So, he tries to focus on breathing and on running, trying to brush that away.
[break][break]
At this point, he’s not even bothering with trying to catch up anymore.



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

could cian keep one castform? they could simply report one as missing, or maybe they wouldn't even realize, but the thought does cross his mind, especially when cian junior does cute things like this.

after a bit more, cian looks over his shoulder, noticing how mars hasn't caught up nor does it look like he's trying to.

"ease up, kids."

and with that, he starts to slow down, soon returning to mars' side.

after a gentle poke to his ribs, he asks:

"you okay?"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

Mars has always had to do things he doesn’t really want to do, as much as he tells himself he has broken out of those habits, sometimes the realization hits of how prevalent they still are in his life. On this day, as they run under the rain, such realization comes.
[break][break]
When there are things he doesn’t want to do but he knows he has no choice but doing, Mars will give himself excuses in order to be okay with it, because being unhappy about it means they win. Who’s ‘they’? When the habit began, it was his family, but now the lines are all too blurred…
[break][break]
He had said he didn’t want to run, but Cian wanted to, so they did; because he loves him, because it makes Cian happy, and because it will be fun, right?
[break][break]
He glances at him, offering a smile.
[break][break]
”Yeah, just keep going. Are we close?”
[break][break]
Even if he’s annoyed, he will fight it, because in the end, this too is a habit he can’t break. Even if he tells himself it’s for Cian’s sake.
[break][break]
”You’re going to fall behind, babe.”
[break][break]
And so, Mars picks up the pace, acting like nothing’s wrong.




[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

something's wrong; cian knows mars well enough to see it, and as he speeds ahead, practically avoiding the conversation, he can't help but feel annoyed in return.

a lot of things between them will be left unsaid if things continue this way.

and so, cian stops.

"mars."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

It would be easier to avoid it. To give himself reasons to smile, to just keep running, to finally be able to push all that annoyance away when seeing how happy all this makes Cian.
[break][break]
But, Cian won’t let him take the easy way out.
[break][break]
Maybe he should be glad for it, but at the time, it’s also an annoyance.
[break][break]
He stops, and he turns, meeting Cian’s gaze.
[break][break]
”Yeah?”
[break][break]
Nothing about his expression or words shows he’s annoyed, because in this life he has lived, Mars has learned to hide those things well.
[break][break]
So, he smiles, even if its faint and even if whatever small joy is in it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.




[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER