it's a fleeting moment but the warmth persists only to spread at the sound of her laughter. he returns one as well, breaking into a smile.[break][break]

"yes! very much alive and well."[break][break]

he wishes he could just kiss her again.[break][break]

"lucky you."

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]
mission![break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"]

There is a lightness she feels that she’s unaccustomed to. She can’t remember the last time she felt like this– it’s almost like she’s acting her age for once instead of like a little old curmudgeon.[break][break]

“Yeah, guess I’m stuck with you a little longer.” Her nose wrinkles as she grins up at him. There are probably worse scenarios, to be honest.[break][break]

“Very lucky.”[break][break]

She glances back over her shoulder at the rest of the party still in motion. At some point, without thinking about it, one of her hands sought out his. Though she might’ve just grabbed one of his fake hands again, she’s not sure.[break][break]

“Do you, uh. Do you wanna go?”

[attr="class","ooc"] URIAH BLACK [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-vulpix form-alola"]

luckily, as though fate willed it, she finds his real hand, grounding him in the moment which is good timing as her question attempts to rip him off his feet.[break][break]

his heart drops, skipping even if he knows the answer.[break][break]

"yeah."[break][break]

he squeezes her hand.[break][break]

"let's get out of here."

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]
mission![break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"]

It’s almost a little nerve-wracking in the few moments between her question and his response. There is still potential for the let down (even if it would be the smarter choice for the both of them,) and the idea of it makes her stomach flutter with dissatisfied nerves.[break][break]

Only for them to twist away and shift into something else when he doesn’t pull from her hand, and says yeah.[break][break]

Her hand squeezes his in return as she turns toward the exit in the short distance, beer pong results long forgotten in favor of what she feels is much better.[break][break]

“Lead on, then.”

[attr="class","ooc"] URIAH BLACK [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-vulpix form-alola"]

"yes, ma'am."[break][break]

but not before reaching for one of the many red cups still on the table. it would be a shame to waste them, after all. with her hand in his, he leads them through the bar and out the exit. no need to pay as it'll just be on uriah's tab.[break][break]

the cool air of slateport brushes by them.[break][break]

"so, uh, my place or yours?"[break][break]

because his place is a mess. but then again, he just takes the assumption that they're going to end up at either one of their places. she could've just been asking to go to a different bar.[break][break]

regardless, he's said it, so he stays committed to it.

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]
mission![break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"]

Calla doesn’t bother taking a cup along with her like he does. She’s definitely grown wobbly enough on feet without the last round, and the chilly fall air doesn’t sober her up all that much.[break][break]

“Uhhhhhmmm..” the hand not tangled with his rubs at her forehead and then squints up at him. “I don’t think my brother’s home tonight, but is that a risk you wanna take?”[break][break]

Not that she thinks Kieran Roth poses much threat or would act weirdly protective. He’s the sweeter of the two of them, after all. Friendlier by leagues. But it would still be awkward as hell.[break][break]

She doesn’t question his assumption, just rolls with it. Mess, or interruption via brother. Heads or tails.

[attr="class","ooc"] URIAH BLACK [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-vulpix form-alola"]

"good point. mine it is."[break][break]

his hand holds hers a little tighter before leading them down the now empty sidewalks of the upper district.[break][break]

every now and then, they come to a cross where they're forced to stop and wait for the light to turn green. then they cross, and on and on they go until, finally, they arrive at his place.[break][break]

an elevator ride up later, and they arrive at his apartment.[break][break]

"i swear i'm not usually this messy."[break][break]

he's just been busy, that's all.[break][break]

the lights automatically flick on once they step in, revealing his (almost) penthouse apartment that's spacious and modern but cozy in a sense.

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]
mission![break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"]

“Works for me.”[break][break]

She holds fast to his hand the whole time. Despite the holiday, it’s grown silent out–not that Calla minds all that much. Though she finds it a bit difficult to be patient throughout the time it takes to get there when it’s so quiet and adrenaline hums bright and buzzing in her system.[break][break]

“It’s fine, I don’t care.”[break][break]

Maybe she’s not as compulsively tidy as most would assume.[break][break]

But the state of his apartment isn’t anywhere near the front of her mind, anyway. Though she can’t help, but hum in observation. “It’s a nice place.” That’s about as much conclusion as she supplies, attention shifting squarely back to him instead. A hint sheepishly so.“So..”

[attr="class","ooc"] URIAH BLACK [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-vulpix form-alola"]

even though he can't see himself, uriah knows he looks ridiculous. the outfit would come off easily but the green paint? not so much. it's why, despite his desires, he hasn't kissed her just yet.[break][break]

"i'm sure i look ridiculous, cal."[break][break]

he chuckles. his free hand rises to her cheek.[break][break]

"...do you wanna shower together?"

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]
mission![break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"]

He does look pretty ridiculous. And even she’s probably got some smudges of green here and there, though she hasn’t checked. “Yeah you look like the guy on the, uh, can of peas?”[break][break]

The laughter that chases her teasing quiets as a palm presses against her face, at the question that follows.[break][break]

This time the color that floods her face has nothing to do with the alcohol. It’s all 100% unbridled, bonafide Calla embarrassment.[break][break]

But even then, she doesn’t pull away. Her head leans into the touch and the blue in her eyes is likely sharp against the red under her skin as she watches him, then nods rapidly as if her answer were an obvious thing (in her mind, it is.)[break][break]

All of that loud confidence from before, though, suddenly dwindles into something not necessarily nervous or inexperienced. Just shyness.

[attr="class","ooc"] URIAH BLACK [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-vulpix form-alola"]

uriah could definitely model for the pea brand, no doubt. he'd even go into the shoot having done his own makeup to save them some costs. that sounds like a good pr gig, actually. not like he'll remember it, though.[break][break]

and while her answer should not have been a surprise, it makes him feel light. happy.[break][break]

"okay."[break][break]

however, in an act of boldness, he leans down to kiss her once again.

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]
mission![break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"]

“Okay,” she echoes as she nods again, finding her voice again after the initial surprise settles with her.[break][break]

Her stomach erupts with butterflies, and this is where she wants to be. No question of it.[break][break]

When he bends to kiss her, the breath is pulled from her lungs all over again. Her hands settle against his chest and then slide upward. She has to roll up to the tips of her toes for her arms to loop around his neck.[break][break]

To both keep him close and to deepen the kiss.

[attr="class","ooc"] URIAH BLACK [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-vulpix form-alola"]

almost effortlessly, his arms slide down before he lifts her up, carrying her close as his green-painted skin presses into her delicate-white outfit. the kiss deepens, quickens, even, as he carries her through his apartment.[break][break]

a stumble or two later finds them in the bathroom. again, the lights flick on automatically, and he pulls away from the kiss only to peer into her eyes.[break][break]

no words escape him. he simply smiles, breathless as he leans his forehead against hers.

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]
mission![break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"]