[attr="class","star1"]

[attr="class","star2"]Fern has not taken to bed rest well. They’re too active and restless for it. But they’re stupidly worn out, and with the awkward bandaging around their head and the new side effects of the injury, they don’t have much else to do but stay there and sleep. And stew.[break][break]

Granted, jayden cross has been a good and faithful distraction.[break][break]

Burrowed down deep in their bed, one eye sullenly cracks open as their phone buzzes and the screen lights up. They don’t particularly feel like answering someone’s messages right now. They’d rather retreat under their blankets again. But the name that’s bolded is mint frost’s saving grace.[break][break]

Mint and Marza are probably the only two who’d get a pass. And Marza Volchitsa is a notoriously bad texter. jayden cross’s hardly left their side since they woke up in the infirmary.[break][break]

They snatch the device and swipe open the screen, awkwardly juggling it between their good hand and the one that’s stiffly stitched in the center of their palm, then bandaged to high heavens. Blue eyes dart sideways toward jayden cross as they fumble to tap out a reply.[break][break]

“Mint’s coming.”[break][break]

And then they hunker back down under their bedding, not doing much else but silently watch their partner work through half-lidded eyes.[break][break]

Upon entry, Zabaglione would be met with Fern’s eevee, Rhiannon. A small, undersized creature that their dragapult has taken to as her own. Long, vulpine ears twitch in curiosity before it peers up at Mint and scampers back toward the bedroom where Ceci is sprawled out on the end of the bed over Fern’s feet.
[break][break]

---

jayden cross mint frost // m: post-postdorm (repeat)[break]

[attr="class","star3"][attr="class","rouxcredit"]♠

[attr="class","star1"]

[attr="class","star2"] Guilt still burns in his chest whenever he thinks about the fact that he'd left fern delaney aside, allowed them to go against MATIAS SILPH all on his own. But it's HATRED that burns afterwards, thinking not only of the Elite Four's monster, but of any of the League agents that were part of the same broken system. The ones that had stolen countless Rockets from them. The ones that had —

[break][break] 'Mint's coming over.'

[break][break] Jayden who had not left fern delaney's side since they had awoken turns to his partner. The laptop on his lap doesn't move — it's filled with several windows, either ones that document Wyndon Pharmaceuticals current trend, of various Rocket reports that he'd been privy to, or of the death certificates he was forced to go through after everything that had happened in the Ultra Deep Sea. But Jayden doesn't care about any of them at the moment.

[break][break] It's Fern that he cares about the most.

[break][break] The admin leans down then, pressing a kiss to their forehead as they burrow deeper into the comforter. A hand smooths down the length of their back, tucking him deeper into the bedding. "Just rest."

[break][break] When mint frost arrives, he'll find that Jayden is standing in the front of the door. His foot stands out, a barrier for the Zigzagoon that tries to rush into their abode. The admin's gaze is cold and unforgiving, backed by his two Umbreon that peer out behind them. Lada and Hesus stand, their eyes locking onto the Beast who tries to enter fern delaney's house.

[break][break] Jayden's arms are crossed.

[break][break] "Mint. Strip."

[break][break] What Jayden - of course - means is to strip himself of his jacket and shoes, of any possible weapons that may lay inside his uniform. With everything that had gone on in the last couple of days, he wasn't going to take any chances with a possible intruder in their house.

[break][break] What if it was just a Megalopolan dressed up as Mint?

[break]

[attr="class","star3"][attr="class","rouxcredit"]♠

[attr="class","main"]

The purple Zigzagoon sniffed quickly and intermittently at everything, nearly about to dart over to the Eevee to greet it before Rhiannon runs off. Just before he can give chase he's stopped, falling onto his hind legs and letting out a small bark of protest. But their attitude withers against Jayden glare, and the little dark type hides behind Mint, as he's already busy taking off his shoes and looking for slippers. [break][break]

He closes the door behind him, laughing at his friend as he set down bags of supplies. "Jeez, in Fern's own home? Didn't take you guys for swingers!" he said, giving Zabaglione a glance before back at Jayden. Even under the serious expression he merely smiles before adding a quick, "Take me out to dinner first, Jayden." But he obliges. [break][break]

Jayden and him weren't strangers to each other half naked. They spent too much time training together for that to be a secret anymore. So he takes off his jacket, hanging it off a little coat hook on the wall and gesturing at it for Jayden to check. He then pulls off the thick crewneck and hangs it as well for inspection before holding out his arms. "No hug?" he added, waiting for the admin to pat him down.

[break][break]

[attr="class","pkmnbar"]

[attr="class","icon"]

[attr="class","star1"]

[attr="class","star2"]Once they hear the door open and Mint’s voice ring through the confines of their apartment, they expect to see bright green eyes just as quickly.[break][break]

But when neither he, nor Jayden turn up quickly, Fern frowns. With mild struggle, they pull free of the blankets they were just instructed to stay under. Already achy as soon as they start to hobble down the hall—a hand against the wall for support.[break][break]

Led by their eevee, Fern wanders out toward the doorway. Tiredly, their hand rubs at their face. “Mi—?” They stop short as the sight that greets them, squinting slightly. “Michail…is this really necessary?” Any chiding they might’ve bestowed on their partner for Mint’s sake is thwarted by a yawn that breaks through their words as they lean against the hallway’s doorframe and fold their arms. Any of their typical, cooler airs pathetically diminished by all the bandages and bruises.[break][break]

Fern doesn’t admit that the reason they slouch against the frame is that they still struggle to find balance, void of one ear. Instead, they smile as best they can manage. “Sorry or original plans got delayed, Mint.”[break][break]

Kinda sorta collapsing on THEO BECKETT might do that.
[break][break]

---

jayden cross mint frost // m: post-postdorm (repeat)[break]

[attr="class","star3"][attr="class","rouxcredit"]♠

[attr="class","star1"]

[attr="class","star2"] 'Swingers?' Normally, the unfamiliar word would have drawn him pause. Jayden would have probably asked about it, would have wanted to know what this new angle of teasing was. However, at present moment, Jayden was too wired to have questioned such a thing, and as such, his expression flickered with brief annoyance before narrowing at the sight of Mint.

[break][break] Narrowing further as he critically surveyed his friend stripping in front of him, making sure that there was no slight of hand — no weapon, no poison, nothing that could potentially cripple fern delaney more than he already was.

[break][break] "We can eat once I am sure you are Mint, Mint."

[break][break] His voice was serious, brokering no room for argument. Arms were folded.

[break][break] When the jacket is peeled off, Jayden is quick to dig through it. Making sure there isn't anything strange in it's contents. With the exception of some loose change, some cute-looking pens, and even an old receipt from an ice cream store (oddly dated around the same time that he and Mint had last gone to the gym..?)

[break][break] As he's doing so, Fern decides to appear. Jayden whips around to meet them, immediately abandoning the jacket on the hook and then walking over to him. His brows knit together in concern. "What is it, ptichika? Are you okay?"

[break][break] He flurries over to them, his surveying gaze now focused on his partner, fluttering like a mother crow over it's chick. His hand brushes against their elbow, their shoulder, and then their cheek.

[attr="class","star3"][attr="class","rouxcredit"]♠

[attr="class","main"]

A smiley beast only brightens seeing Fern come out before frowning at how much their friend struggles. "Oh- no worries. I can always reschedule." And he always did. It felt like his schedule was always open for anyone to insert themselves into it, should they want to. [break][break]

"And who ELSE would I be if not Mint?" he asked tilting his head at the Admin. "Don't tell me you've got stalkers too now?" he added, watching as Jayden went to fuss over Fern. The hug forgotten, Mint clothes himself once more before moving towards the kitchen to set his supplies down for the couple. [break][break]

Zabaglione sniffs at the pair before sprinting over to Mint's ankles as he rustled bags and began going through their cabinets. "Tell me you have a flower vase..." he murmured while his partner dug into bags for snacks. Mint shoos him away from a small stack of personal pan pizzas. An assortment of them. [break][break]

Late morning is technically brunch after all. And he might as well do something if he wants to barge in on their bed rest.

[break][break]

[attr="class","pkmnbar"]

[attr="class","icon"]

[attr="class","star1"]

[attr="class","star2"]

In a beat, jayden cross is there, fretting over them. Fern sighs quietly where they lean against the doorframe. "I am fine, I just wanted to see what the hold up was about." Despite their protests, though, they do not pull away - allowing him to fuss and look them over. They maybe enjoy it, even.[break][break]

They peer over his shoulder, while he's at it, to fix pale eyes on mint frost. "Yes, we can definitely do that. But I'm glad you are here now. I think I might go mad." They hate being stuck at home, in bed.[break][break]

It feels like they might start crawling up the walls like something unhinged if they're left to it much longer.[break][break]

"If I have any of those, it would be news to me," they add as they shift to lean against their partner instead of the wooden frame, eyes still tracking Mint's movements. A crooked smirk tugs at their mouth. "Not that it would be surprising. I'm still a catch."

It's sarcasm, of course. Down an ear, with a mottling of bruises and a healing nose, they know they look like warmed over roadkill at present. Not that they'll allow it to stop their quest for levity.[break][break]

"Over in that cabinet." They point to one under the counter in their kitchen space.

[break][break]

---

jayden cross mint frost // m: post-postdorm (repeat)[break]

[attr="class","star3"][attr="class","rouxcredit"]♠

[attr="class","star1"]

[attr="class","star2"] Jayden is a little overprotective but that may have been true of either man in the room. It is only made more obvious now, because of everything that had happened to them both, and only now because he is on edge ever since MATIAS SILPH transgressions.

[break][break] When mint frost asks, Jayden is compelled to give an answer. His words are about as straight-forward as a bullet train.

[break][break] "A member of the DRK Triad. A disguised League member. A Megalopolan."

[break][break] His lips twist into a grim line, only pulled away by the sound of their voice. Still not willing to move too far away from them, Jayden does slide minutely to the side. Only so that mint frost can have a glimpse of them.

[break][break] Still reluctant, still greedy to have all of their attention but it is Mint, so he can afford to be sparing.

[break][break] A hand curls against their shoulder as they lean into him, blinking with surprise. "Stalkers?" His lips tip into a frown. "I will have to check my intel and then dispose of them."

[break][break] It is said with such mundaneness that one may mistake it for seriousness — but anyone who knew the Rocket Admin well (which, of course, would be the only two others in the room) would know it was a joke.

[break][break] A click of his tongue, and one of his ghosts appears out of the floor like smoke.

[break][break] "Midna. Go help him."

[break][break] The sneaky Banette cackles, before dipping into the floor again and then reappearing on the opposite side of the room. With shadowy claws, she pries the wooden door open and hangs upside down from it, offering it to the Beast.

[break][break] As that is done, Jayden's gaze slides over Fern's in silent question.

[break][break] 'Do you want to ask him now, or should I?'

[break][break]

[attr="class","star3"][attr="class","rouxcredit"]♠

[attr="class","main"]

Mint lets out a huff of laughter at his friend. "I'm surprised you're walking at all without balance. I think...but maybe you're just as restless as Jayden is when it comes to working." he said before turning to look for the vase when directed. [break][break]

He tries not to roll his eyes at Jayden, and manages to hold off until he's looking away from the love birds. Mint's bark of laughter catches, echoing a little in the kitchen. "Hey- Isn't that abuse of power?" he asked. "Using Rocket forces for your own gain, not the team's?" he asked as the Banette floated over to him. He takes it from her carefully, offering a small nod as thanks before going to rinse it out and fill with tap water. "Then again, guess you could justify it pretty easily as personnel defense." he shrugged, going through the cabinets and searching for scissors. It takes him two tries, but he's able to begin cutting at the stems. [break][break]

Mint doesn't take to silence very often. He continues while the couple convenes silently behind him. "I'm sorry we separated during POSTDORM, Fern." he said, genuine in his words. "I'm glad you're ok though. Well- not ok, but alive. Conscious. Walking. Talking." he added.


[break][break]

[attr="class","pkmnbar"]

[attr="class","icon"]

[attr="class","star1"]

[attr="class","star2"]Pale blue eyes move across the room to their friend, “Not without difficulty,” they admit. It is, unfortunately why they have to lean against everything to support the imbalance between their ears. “I am not nearly as much of a workaholic.” Just stubbornly independent.[break][break]

Fern sighs, the sound somehow both beleaguered and endeared, all wrapped up in one. “That was sarcasm,” they shake their head, “I don’t have any pursuers, to my knowledge.” They pause after the words settle, and then fix him with a pointed look. “And you do not need to go checking for any, either.”[break][break]

They shake their head, hair missing against his shoulder where they lean. “Mint is right—misappropriation of resources.” That, and they do not need keeping tabs on. They have handled themself this far with only this first grave injury. They can continue to manage just fine. Fern watches as Mint talks and snips at the stems. Arranging the flowers into a neat array. A pang of guilt strikes as they register the apology.[break][break]

“It’s nothing you need to be sorry for, Mint. Really. I went off on my own, and I didn’t make a proper retreat.” Not that they particularly regret egging MATIAS SILPH on until he hit a point. There was something satisfying pushing someone to that point. It felt validating, even. Their distaste for the league’s loose cannon that much more justified.[break][break]

Still, it’s not Mint’s burden to bear.[break][break]

They catch Jayden’s eye then, and the silent question there. With a tired huff, they nod. Urging him to go ahead with what he wants to ask.

[break][break]

---

jayden cross mint frost // m: post-postdorm (repeat)[break]

[attr="class","star3"][attr="class","rouxcredit"]♠

[attr="class","star1"]

[attr="class","star2"] "Me?"

[break][break] He blinks. For a moment there, it is almost like they are backed to a sense of normalcy. Jayden remains there, only slightly confused, with the vaguest feeling that the two are making fun of him in some way.

[break][break] Sarcasm.

[break][break] "Ah."

[break][break] Understanding dawns on him and the worry-lines of his face smooth over. It was good to know that Fern didn't actually have a stalker. "You have my word," he says to Fern, and then, glancing over at Mint, adds, "Of course, if I were to do it, I would be using my own resources."

[break][break] He gives Mint a pointed look.

[break][break] "Not Rocket's."

[break][break] After all, even without the strength of both Rocket and Wyndon backing him, Jayden had his own means. After all, his parents had not left him with nothing.

[break][break] Guilt bubbles in his stomach briefly at the the Beast's apology, and he looks away. It still unsettled him, the way that he had let it all just happen. The fact that he'd managed to save Ashley Shepard, and yet not save the person that mattered the most to him.

[break][break] "It's no one's fault," he says. Besides mine. He swallows, eager to pivot from this conversation.

[break][break] "Mint, have you found any leads on Hoopa or Kyurem?" His brow furrows. "I heard that there might be a Mirage Island near the Sky Pillar."

[break][break]

[attr="class","star3"][attr="class","rouxcredit"]♠

[attr="class","main"]

Mint smiled, though its still a little sad and awkward. But he did his best not to dwell if Fern told him not to. Jayden corrects him and Mint lets out a loud snort in his friend's direction. "Well, I guess if it's not Rocket's resources, a little stalking is fine." he acquiesced. [break][break]

"Mmm, not really. No signs around the region, not cold spots or excess of energy from Kyurem...SILENT ICELANDS stays frozen over though with no signs of melting anytime soon." he said with a sigh. "Got some GLACIATE shards though. It's not much, reads as normal H2O, but just one or two make extreme cooling alternatives. Scientists could use just a few to keep a whole case of samples or materials cold. If needed." he said, happy about his discovery even if it was very small. [break][break]

"Huh?? A mirage... Island?? Like what happened to us during CYBERCHASE?" he asked, eyebrows furrowing together as he gave them his full attention. "Any reads or scan on it?"


[break][break]

[attr="class","pkmnbar"]

[attr="class","icon"]

[attr="class","star1"]

[attr="class","star2"]
It's all a silly matter, of course. Whether personal resources or Rocket's, there is no need for either. Because there is no real threat to entertain. As always, though, Fern finds jayden cross's earnest, literal tendencies to be endearing and sweet.[break][break]
They puff out a breath, and let the joke go.[break][break]
Just as they have let go of any blame that might've been placed elsewhere for what happened. What had occurred was between themself and MATIAS SILPH. Neither of the other two should've felt guilt for it. They didn't feel guilty for provoking the elite four member. It had been a choice, and Fern holds to it - even as it spikes their resentment. Even as they came away wounded and imbalanced. But that's a personal vendetta.[break][break]
Slouching further into the room, Fern makes their way over to Mint, hands resting on the countertop as they affectionately lean sideways against their friend. They hum thoughtfully as he answers the other's admin's question, eyes fluttering shut in contemplation. Or exhaustion.[break][break]
It is only when he concludes that they pipe up. "Bit of a wild goose chase, or maybe a hunch." Fern points at the primal shard they collected at Mt. Pyre. "I had a thought that perhaps that might draw one, or both of them, out of hiding."
[break][break]

---

jayden cross mint frost // m: post-postdorm (repeat)[break]

[attr="class","star3"][attr="class","rouxcredit"]♠