Adrian was caught off guard, and of course Monty's words held merit to them. But he still blamed Monty for wasting his time, for stirring up this shitstorm with his flippant behavior. But more than that, he was aggrieved at them saying he wasn't acting much like a friend. That wasn't very fair.

"And you've been the shining beacon of friendship?! You've been avoiding me time and time again, hanging the fact we f@#%ed over my head every time you turn me down for something I haven't even asked for once!"

How was he supposed to act a friend with something like that thrown in his face? Monty couldn't expect to talk about it so casually if they were both to leave the past, well, in the past.

He crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes on Monty. "Excuse me for confusing your former lack of inhibition for a potential attraction, Monty, but I didn't exactly sucker you into it. You were the one who came onto me," he said in defense of himself, recalling that first squeeze Monty gave him before they took off into a storm.

"Am I supposed to be sorry I'm not able to make myself some emotionless, sex-driven fiend for a night? That I didn't fuck you under the pretense of a casual physical relationship?" What the hell were the neighbors going to think? He needed to lower his voice.

He clasped his digits to both of his temples, trying to rub the tension out of him, to give himself a reprieve from the arguing and shouting. But his tone is still brutal and unrelenting as ever.

"I'm more angry you don't have a conscience to realize you've treated me like anything other than a friend every time I've seen you."

Monty ran away from introductions at the Aurorus Ball. Tried hiding under a Santa hat in Slateport. Even had a backhanded way of greeting him at the door. Monty hadn't been a friend to him, either.

He'd been treating Adrian like a used condom, something he was eager to be rid of at once.

@monty

He was a bit unsettled at Monty's change of tone, against the word he had chosen for himself. Maybe it wasn't far off the mark, but Adrian hadn't come here to call Monty names. It was just supposed to be about the Secret Santa business, but he'd gone and let his personal affairs get in the way of that.

"...I wanted a lot of things. But that's my fault, I guess." He'd settled for a more somber tone, not agreeable with the shift in conversation. He couldn't be sure whether he hated Monty or circumstance just yet. Perhaps even both, possibly.

He hung his head. That's all there was to it, then. Monty was dead set on this Spencer guy. Nothing he said or did could get between them, not that he should've been surprised. Adrian couldn't be too sure he wanted to be their friend after, but being treated like a stranger or worse suited him even less. He supposed what he needed was time.

Time to appreciate the year they'd already had together, and how insignificant a single night was in contrast. Time to find someone else, even.

Time. He just needed some of that.

Or maybe just a little bit of contraband, he internalized to himself in a spur of cynical humor. Not that he ever needed an excuse, really.

"I'm gonna go." Tucking his pinky and ring finger in, his other fingers clumping together to form an L-shape, he gestured to Monty dismissively.

"Happy Holiday." With what composure he had left he vacated their yard, gliding through Monty's house to gather his pokemon and possessions.

@monty