Making doubly sure that he wrapped his towel snuggly and securely around his waist, Killian sank onto the bench. He didn't want any accidents to happen. Not with his sister of all people.

"Years? That's not good, Lis. You should be taking better care of yourself."

Killian didn't have any room to talk. Work consumed his life, much to the dismay of his fiancee. But that didn't mean his sister needed to suffer from the same flaw.

"I live in Lavaridge, actually. Well, on the outskirts of it anyway." a hefty sigh parted his lips as the steam washed over him. "Lex and I visit occasionally. When she can drag me away from work, that is."

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"Sounds pretty boring. You should live a bit more. Go out and do something wild and exciting."

Explore the world - leave Hoenn and never look back. Killian doubted he'd be able to convince her to do that. Fuck, he couldn't even get himself to go.

Killian can't help but perk up at the mention of Alexandra Briarwood. An involuntary smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Love is too simple a word." like the shallow end of a pool, it barely encompassed how deeply he felt for her.

"Lex is amazing. She's witty with the perfect amount of sass. Not afraid to tell me when I'm in over my head or put me in check. A real firecracker. Always there for me when I need her to be, whether I like it or not. "

The breath in his lungs, the wind beneath his wings - his north star. She's all that and so much more.

There's a pause as his eyes drift to the ceiling.

"And she's strong, more than I think she realizes." You didn't endure the things that Lex had and not come out the other end stronger for it. "I wished she'd see that." still smiling, he looked down to meet Lis's eye.

"What about you, Lis? Ever been in love before?"

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Lis's example of 'wild' forced Killian to chuckle.

"I wasn't picturing a jungle exactly, but if that's what you wanted to do." he shrugged at the second half of her question. "It can be. But I doubt you're doing anything wild at home on your own."

His sister had lived a relatively sheltered life, it seemed. Whether by choice or circumstance, Killian can't say for sure, but it affected her.

The answer to his question isn't what he'd expected, but it's not all that shocking. "I used to be like." the comforting words are followed by a reassuring look. "Love was never something I thought I'd have after my mother passed." from pleasant conversation to painful memories. Killian's once bright smile flattened to a calm line.

In an act of trust given only to Lex, Killian offered Lis a piece of his heart. A sliver of the wounded man underneath layers of apathy. "I was sure I'd be loveless forever." and his smile returned, smaller than before, but no less as brotherly.

"Turns out, I was just waiting on the right person to melt the ice." Killian's quick to add, "But even if you can't, or there isn't someone like that out there for you. There's nothing wrong with being alone."

"There's strength to be had in that too."

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Her mom? Killian frowned playfully.

"I sound like a parent now? Thanks for reminding me I'm getting old." he laughed, letting his smile spread wide. "No, but really. Your mother sounds like a wise person."

He nodded in agreement. "No, I suppose you won't be." Loveless would be with him always too. A permanent friend and piece of his mother left behind.

"Hmm."

Without no one around, maybe now would be the time to ask an important question. One Killian put off since he introduced himself. Especially since Rocket took over Sootopolis, the damage of which they were still working to fix.

"Hey Lis, what are your thoughts on Rocket?"

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Killian turned up the heat, roll twice.

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Killian nodded in agreement. Rocket's hurt more than anyone will ever realize. As Head of Intel, even Killian has only begun to scratch the surface of the things they've done to get where they are today. Atrocities that be war crimes if Rocket weren't the victors of Kanto. What amazes him is that despite being aware of their evil, Lis is indifferent.

Is there darkness in her, he wonders? Something vile flowing dormant in her veins, waiting to be drawn out and nurtured. Though they've only just met, and she seems a sweet girl, Killian's already seen similarities to himself. Perhaps a sinister shade runs in the family.

"I'm glad you don't hate them." he says, leaning forward. "Because I'm with Rocket, Lis." like when he told her they were related, Killian speaks so casually, as if he's not changing her world for the second time.

"I help lead them."

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She's calmer than he expected her to be. That can either be a good or bad thing. Killian shifted against the wooden bench, hands lacing together and coming to rest on his lap.

"Nothing." he replied bluntly, "But what I expect or want doesn't matter. What do you plan to do now that you know?" Lis owed him nothing. She could take that information and run straight to the League. Ruin Killian's entire life, more than he already had.

"If you wanted to tell the League, I wouldn't stop you. I'd be hurt, but if that were your choice Lis, then I'd accept it."

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"Die? No one would kill you, Lis."

Killian wouldn't let them. She was his family now, just like Lex, and he'd die before he let anything happen to her. How long they'd been in each other's life be damned.

"And as you can see, we're already working to repair the damage caused during the raid." they were even making improvements. This is the Rocket that Emma Wolfe had failed to convince Killian existed.

Maybe he'd been wrong to dismiss her.

"Do you care what I do?"

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