In all honesty, Lex wasn’t staying home much anymore. It felt empty without him. It reminded her too much of what she lost and the life they were on course to have. That is, until it came along and stole him from her. A bitterness still sat heavy in her chest, but it was mostly drowned out by sorrow at this point. In a way, it was more painful than when she left Johto and him behind. Back then, she had given up hope. There was no future, each day wasn’t promised to her. For a moment she left herself dream of what kind of a life they could have. Both of them, together: A house, a family, a dream. Now she just had nightmares. So, she tried not to sleep. When she did, it was mostly in an empty dorm at Headquarters. Though Killian probably knew that. He knew everything.

It would be obvious to Killian the house had barely been lived in since he left. A fine coat of dust settled onto most things, even the whiskey bottles on the bar. The same jackets hung near the doorway, untouched, and upstairs the same pile of laundry sat in the closet. The lights were off, the air stagnant, the shades pulled down.

Upon searching he’d find the house empty, but not for long. The familiar cold presence of the Shadow Gardevoir hung in the air before she disappeared to find her master.

Killian Decker

The sudden appearance of the Gardevoir almost made Lex jump. Being around so many ghosts, she’s gotten use to them just popping up out of nowhere. She was still sitting at the edge of the bed in the empty dorm, putting on her shoes when the Shadow Pokemon appeared. To her, its presence was soothing. As always, it’s empty crimson gaze peered down at her, expecting something. Without words, Lex understood and took the pokemon’s extended hand.

Suddenly, she was home, but the familiar space was foggy, covered in an ethereal haze as the two lingered in the phantom plane for a moment. The pokemon could sense her convictions, allowing her the choice of going to him or not. The Gardevoir could feel it too, stirring beneath the surface of the man – a threat. It made her uneasy and wary.

She took a moment to just watch him in silence. Lex had been waiting for this – for him to come home. Part of her thought he never would. Still, the fear lingered. Was he home, or just visiting?

With a nod of her head, she stepped through into the living room, fading in through a dark haze that disappeared behind her, “Killian,” his name comes with a small smile, though hesitant, “You’re home,” it’s a hope she wished to manifest into reality.

Killian Decker

Lex inhaled, holding her breath as her amber hues moved towards his outstretched arm. She longed for his touch more than anything, ached for it. The tension in her shoulder remained when he stopped. Disappoint sank into her stomach. He wasn’t ready. It irritated her more than she cared to admit. She hadn’t seen him though she knew he was still working regularly and even staying with Martín del Mar. He could be around others but not her? He’s here but not staying? Her hope was crushed again, leaving her even more empty than before.

The tension fell as she settled into her disappointment. A frown pulled across her red lips to accentuate it. She ignored the comment about the house, he already knew she wasn’t staying here often, “It’s cruel to tease me like this, Killian” there was an edge to her voice that would give away her frustration.

Killian Decker

That may not have been his intentions but it sure as hell felt like it. Standing there in their living room, reaching for her, staying just out of arm’s length. Despite being closer than they have been in weeks, the space between them still felt like an ocean.

Of course, he didn’t mean it like that. She knew that. Lex understood to a degree how afraid he must be, how hard this all must be for him. He admitted he was scared too. Imagine how alone he must feel, despite having something crawling inside him. With a sigh she let her empathy override her frustration, “I’m sorry I’ve just –“ another sigh, “I’ve just missed you too,” and have been waiting for you to come back to me.

There’s no way in hell she trusted it, but she trusted him. He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t trust it to some degree, “It’s fine, I don’t want to push you too far we can just . . . talk,” catch up, have a drink, perhaps that would help ease her tension.

“Does it let you drink?” a finger pointed towards the whiskey bottles covered in a thin layer of dust.

Killian Decker

To Lex’s surprise, he was willing to try something new and moved to retrieve one of the bottles of Johtoian whiskey from the bar on the other side of the living room. Without moving, she watched as he settled on one side of the couch and took a swig. Anxiously, she watched, half expecting an explosion of alien material to consume him in distaste. Perhaps the alien liked whiskey. There’s something they had in common.

Once in the clear, Lex circled around the sit on the other end of the couch, leaning her back against the arm rest and casually pulling a knee up to be able to face Killian. Lex gland accepted the bottle, bringing it to her lips for a rather healthy pull of the brown liquid. It burned, but in a way she enjoyed. Oak and malt filled her mouth and flared through her nostrils. She’d need a little more than that.

“So, how’s it been going?” it’s a question she’s been anxious to ask. She took one more healthy swig before offering the bottle back to Killian.

Killian Decker

Lex whistles, grinning to lighten the mood, “Penthouse? That sounds fancy,” she heard Maras was rich, so she wasn’t surprised. Honestly, she hadn’t spent much time with the other admin. Her circle was small. Trust didn’t come easy and she was constantly wary of the Rockets around her.

Her smile brightened in approval, “Yes, I am happy to hear that,” and for the first time in a long time, she saw that he did actually look rested, even despite everything going on.

“I’ve been,” she hesitated, no lies, “It’s been hard,” her voice lowered as she’s forced to admit it, “I’ve had a hard time staying distracted,” without an outlet, her mind spirals into the abyss, the worst case scenarios haunting her dreams.

Killian Decker

“It’s fine,” she was quick to respond, not wanting to dwell on things that can’t be changed. Her grip loosened letting him take the bottle from her. There’ not much he could do, not while he’s still learning what it means to have it inside him. Cillian Quinn was right, only time would tell if this was something that could even work, if it would ever accept her, or if it would kill Killian for trying.

“Maybe some more texts? At least letting me know you wake up every day,” Letting me know it hasn’t killed you, “Have you at least seen a doctor or something?”

Killian Decker