It was probably a bad idea to mention that he might've been pescatarian himself if not for the risk of people asking questions. They'd assume that because he was a Ranger it was some kind of moral high ground, and why not swear off fish if he was going to swear off meat?

Now, the occasional indulgence in seafood was a private, guilty pleasure, because...

"Don't laugh." His neck is flushed. "Sushi."

He could leave it there. But it's Tam.

"I used to like all kinds but now I'm mostly stuck with vegetarian. Still good."

But it's not the same.

"Why, what's yours?"

notes

Tam doesn't laugh, which is nice.

He doesn't pry, which is nicer.

Then again, Orion thinks he'd be OK if Tam knew. He trusts the captain in ways he can't bring himself to trust most people. Perhaps Tam's willingness to put up with his disastrous recent track record is part of that, or perhaps it's just because it's Tam.

He squints thoughtfully.

"Wait, you mean that place you get pizza for the Squad from?" Clever little shit. Orion grins. "Don't worry, I won't tell. Their pizza is really good."

notes

Green eyes sparkle with mirth at the mention of Hailee Jacobs. "You're probably right. She'd be insufferable."

Yet when he says the word, ordinarily one with heavily negative context, it's with a smile. Even if Hailee had tried to beat him up after the last time he'd been responsible for their cancelled pizza party, he liked and cared about her as much as anyone else in the squad.

He sets about tidying up what little mess they've made in the kitchen while they wait for the timer on the batter. Definitely just for something to do, and not at all because he's worried about Tam judging the mess. Yes, the mess he helped make. No, anxiety doesn't make sense.

"So where do you tend to distribute these?"

Maybe he'll start doing so himself, if this turns out well.

notes

"Yeah, I'd like that."

Orion doesn't like interacting with strangers in a strictly social setting, but what he does like to do is help. Usually Pokémon, rather than people, but he doesn't mind swallowing some discomfort to assist where Hoenn needs it most. It's why he'd originally joined the Council, after all. To help.

He doesn't like to think about it.

The timer goes off, saving him from spiraling, and he opens the fridge to pull out the 'rested' mixture. It looks the same to him, but if Tam says it'll help then he doesn't doubt it.

"OK, now what?"

notes

It takes him a minute to remember where he keeps the oil spray, rooting around in a few cupboards before he finds it and holds the pan at arms length to coat it in the stuff.

He looks sheepish at Tam Fawley's accusation.

"Well, not with poffins," because he hasn't tried making them enough times, "but I have done that with other stuff. Like eggs."

Eggs looked so wet when you cracked them into a pan. They didn't look like they needed any greasing, but he'd learned his lesson after scraping cooked eggs off one too many frying pans.

He pours the batter into the tray, then swipes a finger through what's left in the bowl for a taste.

"Pretty good."

You're not supposed to eat raw batter, but who cares? He washes his hands after, though, because he's a menace but he's not an animal.

notes

"They're readily available. Have you seen how many farms are in Verdanturf, dude?" Farms, ranches like his own, and even an orchard or two. The serene countryside made for great opportunity. "Plus, they're good protein."

He doesn't elaborate, figuring Tam can make the connection between being vegetarian and needing a different source of protein intake.

Orion, too, can't help but to recall a particular night in August. His face feels warm for more reasons than opening the oven as he slides the poffins inside.

A startled yelp from the touch of cold poffin batter on his cheek is followed by a laugh. He might've been obsessively cleaning up after them in a panic, but as he wasn't actually a neat freak he doesn't mind.

"Menace," he accuses, taking another swipe of the batter to flick it at Tam. At least it's not a whole pie.

notes

There's batter on his cheek and on his nose, and now Tam's second-guessing their choices? Orion figures it's not to be taken seriously, so he only smirks at him.

"What else would we do with it?"

Were he bolder, Orion might've taken the opportunity to get in close and nudge Tam with his batter-covered nose in retaliation. He certainly considers it. But though they've messed around more than once, anxiety proves a persistent prison. He doesn't want to make this awkward when they're having fun.

Instead, he flicks more poffin batter before licking his fingers and washing his hands again, setting the bowl down before he's tempted to do more damage. He's still amused, green eyes sparkling with mirth as he leans against the counter.