notes

The worst part? Orion is in therapy. He's on his third therapist, actually, because the first one didn't like his attitude and the second one moved to Kalos because Hoenn was a fucking mess. Third one might've done the same if not for the barrier enclosing the region, so that was a blessing in disguise. Maybe. Orion doesn't really like therapy. Shocking, right?

"Tam. Right."

Just like Lars. It had taken years to break his bad habit of referring to the head ranger as Anderson, but Tam benefits from that long-term conditioning with immediate acceptance.

He doesn't expect the hard-hitting question right out the gate, but there's no accusation in the Captain's tone. A quick glance at the other man reveals a calm demeanour, so Orion's infamous anger remains flickering embers for now.

"I've been a ranger my whole life." A tad defensive, and not really the answer Tam was looking for he's sure. "Protect the Pokémon, save the environment; why else would anyone be a ranger? Not like I'm in it for the bureaucracy." Watch your mouth, Lykos. That's what had gotten him suspended in the first place. Rocket seemed to have robbed him of his filter as well as his arm. "Sorry," he mutters, begrudging. "Not in it for my social skills either."

notes

That's one thing the two have in common: a lack of care. Orion could ask what Tam's reason for joining had been, if not the obvious, but instead he simply lets the comment die in the air between them.

"Those are my reasons," he insists, stubborn.

Truthfully, he can't imagine doing anything else. He'd tried his best at the council job and it had run him ragged and lost him his left arm, so whatever hell the Rangers want to put him through has got to be easier than that.

Or so he thinks, until the words click.

Orion wears his heart on his sleeve, so the flashes of shock, dismay, and anger are fairly plain to read. His right fist curls at his side, nails digging into his palm, but a soft chuff from the Absol seems to stop whatever foul comment might've followed his sharp intake of breath. He feels like he's going to tear up, for a second, which only angers him more, and proper words choke in his throat as he's quite literally forced by his own biology to process this with more dignity.

What did you expect? A promotion?

They could have refused to give him his job back at all.

He closes his eyes, exhales, and nods his head.

"Yeah," he grumbles, resigned. "I could. Can."

notes

He's doing you a favour.

It takes Orion a moment to grasp beyond the agony of change, but Tam's meaning sinks in as the captain breaks Orion's gaze to retrieve something from his desk. His punishment could've been worse. His suspension could've been longer. He might not have been allowed to rejoin the rangers at all, or been forced to redo qualifications and training to properly sand down his ego. Tam is doing the least amount of damage to his pride and his job without costing himself anything in the process.

Though instinct screams at him to break the discomfort of eye contact, Orion holds it for a long moment out of respect.

He didn't have to ask.

Quietly, Orion decides that he likes Tam Fawley.

"That's — that's fine, yeah." He looks away, embarrassed when his voice cracks. Hold it together. He doesn't start crying, at least, and though his cheeks flush he clears his throat and persists. "Thanks."

notes

Orion, too, sees a noticeable shift in demeanour when the cheerful Yamper pads into the room. He laughs softly at her excited bark, rigidity melting before fondness.

Clover? He smiles. "Cute name."

The dog bed and poster make sense with the context he now has. His smile, too, is fleeting... but it allows a glimpse into the man he'd been before the incident. Guarded but not hostile, anxious but not aggressive.

Orion shakes his head, and sees himself out.

notes