my other half.

[break][break] the words burn in his memory ever since he leaves CIAN MAHER that one summer afternoon, on the beach with the glowing petals in the water. he and cian have always been twins, but they have not always been the same. it's been a long time since caden has wanted them to be the same.

[break][break] that was another time, another life, a whole disaster incident ago.

[break][break] but the fact that his brother has somehow found a partner, someone to spend his life with, someone to commit to nags at his mind like a gnat that simply will not go away, burrowing into his skin no matter how shifts at the ER he takes.

[break][break] it makes him thing of one person, and one person only, and true to form, his phone rings with the beep of a text message. a soft smile dons his face at the sight and one yellow cab later, he finds himself at her apartment.

[break][break] at her words, he lets himself in and shrugs off his jacket as he does so. he hangs it up on the hanger nearby, slipping off his shoes as he walks across the plush carpet. "you beckoned, my lady?" he says, lips sliding into a smirk, teasing as ever.

[attr="class","ooc"] Antoinette Spina [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-munna"]

The smile remains as she watched Caden discard his jacket and enter her new apartment. The edges of that smile curl into a smirk to match his, “I did,” she sips her wine before turnig to look over her living room. The penthouse apartment is large and open. The exterior wall of the living room is floor to ceiling windows that face westward. The slightly hint of a sunset remains along the view of Mauville’s sprawling cityscape. The world below sparkles with street lights in the darkness.

“Impressive, isn’t it? I think I like this one,” speaking of committing, it’s rare for Toni to actually commit to anything, “I might stay here a while,” she reaches a hand towards him to take and guide him to the spot on the couch beside her, “Would you like some wine? It's an aged red from the base of Stark Mountain in Sinnoh. It's quite good.”

---

caden maher

its a phenomenal apartment, not that he expects any less of Antoinette Spina. the two of them have always been hedonistic in the worst and best of ways, fighting for all the pleasures of life that the world tried not to give them. well, for all except maybe one.

[break][break] caden takes her hand, allowing her to lead him to the couch where he sits next to her. "that sounds perfect," he says, leaning over to pour the red wine into the empty glass that is on the table. he brings it to his lips with a sip, eyes closing briefly to relish in the taste, as he swirls the glass in his hand. "mm, you'll have to give me your connections. i'll need to refill my stock."

[break][break] his head tilts towards her.

[break][break] "is there a particular reason you called? or did you just miss me so much that you needed to see me?"

[break][break] his gaze sparkles with mirth, teasing as he always is.

[break][break] the worries from before are at the back of his mind now, healed from the mere sight of his best friend. though maybe, if she looks carefully, she would be able to see it too.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Antoinette Spina [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-munna"]

She watches him take a sip, anxiously waiting his assessment. Their taste have always been similar, if not influenced by the other. When it came to lifestyle, they found themselves on the same page more of the time.

Toni is pleased to hear he enjoys the wine, “Well, Caden, if I told you me secrets, you wouldn’t have to come over to share it with me,” let the games begin, the familiar back and forth banter that’s evolved over the years. Toni sips her own wine again, “It goes beautifully with the hot tub on the roof,” her eyes brows wiggle playfully, an excuse to brag about her latest conquest in luxury.

“I missed you, of course,” she responds almost instantly as if it’s not a question. There’s some things she doesn’t hold back from Caden, “And I wanted to show off my apartment,” his approval has always been a comfort, and she’s a sucker for attention and praise.

In such close proximity, she does notice the subtle dull in her friend’s eyes. Naturally, she assumes its from work. He has quite the stressful job plus his side hustle, “You look tired, Caden,” the teasing has left her voice and is replaced with mild concern. She reached a hand out to let a manicured finger slide gently against his forehead to move aside a strand of dark hair, “Has work been difficult?”

---

caden maher

a laugh bubbles to his lips. "oh, is that it?" he slots himself against her, sliding his hand down her thigh and tapping his fingers against her skin. "you know i would visit you without reason, toni," he chides gently, using his other hand to sip more wine, lips stained red.

[break][break] his brow arches. "a hot tub?" hmm, that sounded interesting. he would have to pursue it later.

[break][break] the way she responds to him almost immediately makes something warm and fuzzy trickle in his chest, but maybe that's just the wine. or maybe just the tiredness he feels.

[break][break] "you flatter me."

[break][break]his gaze turns to the apartment in full, a place that he has been only a few times before. when she first came to hoenn, she had been staying at hotels — lovely ones — but it was nice to see her somewhere permanent. rare too.

[break][break] he and toni shared more than their taste for wine.

[break][break] "i love it," he says. caden knows without saying she understands the gravity of his words; he's not a man who gives compliments lightly. "i must visit more."

[break][break] her fingers reach up to his hair, pulling away strand of loose hair. he sighs. "nothing can get past you, can it?"

[break][break] placing the glass on the nearby table, he stands and pulls her up with him. "come on. show me that hot tub you've been teasing."

[attr="class","ooc"] Antoinette Spina [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-munna"]

Toni could always count on Caden to be there, answer texts, come over, take her out. Despite his busy intern life he seemed to always make time for her when she called. He almost made her forget how empty the apartment is, a reason she doesn’t settle down easily.

Independence is important to her. Being away from Sinnoh, her family, her friends, the spotlight, everything familiar – it left her with more feelings than she cares to admit.

“You’re welcome any time,” she smiles, lifting her glass to cheer him, the fine crystal singing softly as they met. Another sip left her chest warm as she sank into the comfort of his touch.

With a shake of her head, she grins, “No, it can’t, I have the eyes of a Braviary,” it’s then that he guides her to stand. She complies, lifting herself off the couch while remaining beside him, “That bad, hm?” Perhaps he’ll elaborate beneath the warm bubbles of the jacuzzi.

“This way – and grab the bottle,” she smiles, taking his hand and leading him through the living room. The next section is a dinning room off the kitchen. The windows here are glass sliding doors that open onto a patio. They don’t linger there long. Toni takes his hand and leads him up a short spiral staircase to the far right that brings them to the roof.

A flick of a nearby switch illuminates the rooftop in a soft yellow glow. There’s an area for lounging and a hot tub situated in the far corner, “I haven’t used it yet,” she admits, pulling him across the small garden, “It’s hot and ready to go,” or so she has been told by the property manager.

---

caden maher

they have not always seen eye-to-eye when it comes to his career. after all, hers is so different from his.

[break][break] however status has always been a symbol that they both understand and appreciate, as much as the glory that comes with drinking delicious wine and a lavish apartment. it's perhaps why - in the end - she was able to acquiescence to his choices, even if they were not always his own.

[break][break] with an idle hand, he grabs the head of the bottle and joins her.

[break][break] plush carpet leads to a dining room that caden finds himself equally impressed by, even if he's seen it before. his eyes graze the furniture, the sleek wood, the shimmering cabinet pieces, and then the door at the end of the hall. warmth tingles in his fingertips as her grip slides into his, and he allows himself to be led up her spiraling staircase.

[break][break] soon enough, the tub room opens. and it is nearly as grand as she is.

[break][break] eagerness gleams in his gaze as he sets the glasses and bottle down upon a nearby counterspace. he immediately begins to unbutton his shirt.

[break][break] "there's no time like the present, toni."

[attr="class","ooc"] Antoinette Spina [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-munna"]

The sprawling cityscape of Mauville sparkles below them like stars, unfortunately drowning out the ones above aside from a few of the brighter, well known ones. Toni rarely looked to the stars, a waste of time. Dreams weren’t made on wishes, they were made with money and hard work. That’s partially why she tolerated Caden’s long hours and tortuous labor. The status of ‘doctor’ was held by few, and respected by many. Toni’s own title would never compare, so she had to get by on looks and money.

His eager gaze is lost in the dim light, although she does catch a flash of his dark eyes as the move between her and the hot tub. She slips back into their game of cat and mouse, stepping away to turn and face him, “Do I get a private show then?” she smiles, referring to his side hustle she is all too aware of.

It’s nothing she hasn’t seen before. Of course she follows his Only Fans. What good friend wouldn’t?

---

caden maher

once upon a time, caden had been a child who was enamored by starlight. he had wanted to be a star. in fact, his whole future had been laid out in front of him — a dazzling red carpet for the successful athlete. the only person — then — who had stood in his way was his prodigy of a brother.

[break][break] but those dreams were long crushed and buried, far away.

[break][break] these days, his skies were dark and blackened — the only pinprick of light offered was when he met people like Antoinette Spina.

[break][break] even in the shade of the night, with their only light the moonlight that gleams through the cityscape of mauville in the distance, caden's smile can be seen. or rather, it's a smirk as he slowly unbuttons his shirt. one by one, his gaze meeting that of his best friend's without fail.

[break][break] "will you pay?"

[attr="class","ooc"] Antoinette Spina [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-munna"]

Unfortunately, stars were something you couldn’t buy. If you could, perhaps Toni would be happy. Instead, she filled her life with artificial stars: men, booze, success, fine wines, things that should make you happy. At times she was, but it was only a shell.

Her gaze only breaks from his to glance towards his chest to watch the meticulous unbuttoning of his shirt. She keeps her soft smile until he’s almost done. Her lips curve to match his smirk when she looks back up to meet his gaze, “You know me, I’m not cheap,” it’s not a lie, money matters little to her, “What’s your price?”

---

caden maher

"hmm."

[break][break] the shirt is discarded, thrown against one of the tables. his fingers reach down to the button of his jeans, ready to slip out of them as well.

[break][break] "and you know me, love. i'm not cheap either."

[break][break] the entourage of people on his phone who ping him daily, asking for photos or videos, are proof enough. some even just want a sentence of his time, anything to get their hands on a minute of his time. one man in particular (paxton concordas) seems particularly needy, but caden doesn't mind as long as he wires the money directly to his bank account.

[break][break] his lips curl into a smile. starlight dances on his skin as he steps over to her, reaching forward and pinching her jaw gently between his fingers. "i suppose i can give you a discount. just for you."

[break][break] with a laugh, he steps away and slides into the warm tub. a groan of relief slips out of him as the hot water touches upon his very sore muscles.

[break][break] he leans back, head dipped backwards, to look at her.

[break][break] "are you going to join?"

[attr="class","ooc"] Antoinette Spina [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-munna"]

The woman’s head tilts slightly in admiration as a slender smile plucks at the corner of her lips, “You certainly shouldn’t be,” quality product deserves a quality price. That’s why when he offers a discount, she seems offended. The smile disappears as he slips into the hot tub.

“Hm. I’ll pay double,” she counters, as if she’s outbidding an invisible opponent. Toni doesn’t purchase things on discount because anything worth having is never discounted.

She’s already peeling her own top off and slipping out of the fitted sweatpants when her beckons her to join. Her smile flashes through the moonlight as she slowly walks to the edge of the hot tub. The shadows dance across her silhouette, never revealing too much until she steps up to slips into the warm water.

“Mmmm,” she hums, slipping back into the seat beside Caden. Her head rests against the side of the whirlpool, “It’s missing something,” she reaches a hand to press some buttons. It buzzes to life and starts the jets and bubbles.

---

caden maher

he response surprises him so much that he lets out a short laugh. why was he surprised? he shouldn't have been.

[break][break] typical toni.

[break][break] "of course. anything for you, dear."

[break][break] a common joke between them both, from back when they'd first met. caden remembers it clear as day - the way that they'd been sipping wine on the banister, mocking all the cutesy couples that seemed to surround the lakeside view.

[break][break] his gaze shifts as she removes her top and starts towards him. he's unable to look away — of course. it's toni. she is exquisite. beauty incarnate.

[break][break] as bubbles stir behind him, he gives a pleased sigh.

[break][break] "your apartment is fucking fantastic."

[attr="class","ooc"] Antoinette Spina [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-munna"]