Guilt rests heavy in Gavin's chest each time he looks at his partner. To know that behind the literal dogpile and the huddle of blankets were horrific, still-healing injuries indirectly caused by his own obsessions was no easy thing to ignore.

But Temp will not accept apologies, opting instead for the insistence that he'd do it again in a heartbeat.

It doesn't erase the guilt. That guilt leaves him doting. He's been offered some reprieve in the aftermath of Hoenn's Darkest Day with Walsh's appointment of his equals, spending as much time as he can spare at home with his fiancé and attending to his every need. It's hard, seeing him like this, but it's even harder to be away from him. He's probably driving his poor partner crazy.

At least a change in scenery seems to have lifted Temp's spirits. Gavin's in the kitchen fixing dinner when Temp calls out to him, but a knock at the door stifles his response. Who...? He wasn't expecting anyone, which makes him think Rocket.

"Just a sec, love. Someone's at the door."

He'd left his phone on the coffee table, so doesn't bother checking the doorbell camera. Instead, he opens the door to find himself face-to-face with newly-appointed admin Elisabeth; surprise registers briefly in the tilt of his brow before he dips his head in greeting.

"A social call, I hope." Behind his light tone is almost a plea. Don't let anything else be wrong. He'd offered a general invitation for the new admins to see the safehouse in the basement, and he's praying this has to do with that. "I was just finishing up with dinner." A glance over his shoulder, in the general direction of the living room. "My fiancé's home; if you don't mind, you're welcome to come in."

His nose twitches. "Is that mint?"

Should she accept the invitation, he'd gesture down the hall toward the living room.

Tempest Quinn Elisabeth Fiorelli

A knock on the door. Temp wrinkles his nose and turns down the television, if only a bit; when Gavin opens the door Elisabeth Fiorelli can likely still hear the sounds of reality tv violence. He laments, not for the the first time today, his own lack of mobility. Even when he ankle had been broken at least he had crutches. This was more just waiting for skin to stitch back together.

The mystery guest is a woman that Temp doesn't know. He still smiles, his usual kind and dopey grin, raising a hand to give a short wave. It's kind of hard to move for many reasons. From somewhere at his side, the group of meaner looking Lycanroc growl. Temp gently shushes them with a pat.

"Heyo! Nice to meet 'ya!" Cheery as always, a beacon of sunlight even when in his state. He's sure he looks rough, even with Cillian Quinn's doting, but it doesn't detract from his open and friendly smile. "I'd come shake your hand but I'm a little..." He motions around him. The Riolu rolls over, snoring from where he's perched on Temp's chest.

Gavin shakes his head, blond hair cast across his eyes with the motion. He brushes it back with one hand, the other reaching to carefully accept the offered plant. The sharp, pleasant scent of mint hits his nose as he tucks it close to his chest, stepping back against the door to allow Elisabeth entry.

In stark contrast to his office, with its bare metal walls and relentless pressure, the home he shares with Temp is warm and welcoming. Though it's clear they take good care of it and surfaces are spotless, there's signs of life in the books and scattered papers left on the coffee table from Gavin's latest research, dog hair on the furniture— dogs on the furniture, now, with the love of Gavin's life in the center of it all. Gavin is warmer, too, at home, a smile coming easily to his lips as he crosses into the living room to peck his fiancé on the lips. A soft, chaste greeting, out of respect for their company.

Elisabeth's surprise at Temp's — everything — does not go unnoticed by Gavin, but he forgives her the fumble. Had someone told him a few years back that he'd be marrying this guy, he's sure he would've been equally stunned.

"Don't let her be modest; she's an admin, as well. I'm gonna show her the basement."

Now, he allows Temp to introduce himself and holds up the little plant.

"I'm just going to pop over to the kitchen and put this up." The dogs were all trained not to put their paws, snouts, or anything else upon the counters. And it gives the two a moment alone. "Don't miss me too much."

He steps out of the room, hiding a mischievous quirk of his lip.

Tempest Quinn Elisabeth Fiorelli

Another little wave at @elizabeth's carefully crafted visage. Temp smiles like sunshine before something like recognition flashes over his face.

"Oh, hey! You're Gavvie's bestie!" Gently shooing away some of the canines, which grumble and whine as they plop onto the floor, Temp does his best to sit up. It's awkward to watch. There is a visible strain as he mostly uses his arms to push himself upwards and backwards, so he can brace himself on the arm of the couch. He's tired and flushed, giving a sheepish smile to the woman.

A quick peck for Cillian Quinn and Temp turns his attention fully to his fiance's friend.

"Call me 'Temp'!" A bleeped out fight starts to happen on TV, loud and filled with drunken insanity, so Temp mutes it. If Elisabeth looks, she'd still see the producers pulling the drunken girls off of one another at some club. Very classy entertainment. "I am.... uh, was Gym Leader out at Pacifidlog! You run a flower shop, yeah?"

One of the pokemon pushed off Temp's lap, a Vaporeon, pads over to Elisabeth. She sniffs at the other before sitting down patiently and staring up at the woman. The water type kneads her paws in place where she sits, expectant.

Gavin catches Elisabeth's stunned reaction to Temp's apt description of friendship just as he's leaving the room, smiling to himself at the surprise in her voice. She is not the first to earn that rare accreditation, but for now holds it alone.

marcel maeda was in Kanto, his status vague and mysterious. Chu-e Choi was back from the dead, but... different.

He returns from the kitchen at the tail end of Elisabeth's uncomfortable question, making his presence known with a soft coo at the Vaporeon who rushes to greet him as he reenters the room, its damp nose bumping against his palm.

He doesn't interrupt the conversation.

Tempest Quinn Elisabeth Fiorelli

No offense was taken from Temp. If Elisabeth Fiorelli was awkward that's just how it was! Little things like that were rarely even noticed by the man. He just laughed as if she told a joke and nodded.

"Better than I was, for sure! Gav has been taking great care of me." Always eager to praise Cillian Quinn.

His eyes widen and he gives a small gasp, waving Elisa further into the room.

"Where are my manners? Sit, sit!" While the couch was thoroughly occupied, two matching chairs were sitting next to it. One of them was occupied by a grouchy looking yellow Shinx; Mitten glared at Elisa as her tail lashed back and forth, Rivalry kicking up. The other was free. "Would you like something to drink? A snack? I can ask Gav to grab something!" Usually he'd be more than happy to it himself, but...