[attr="class","danny"]hoping the confusion from earlier would be enough of a hindrance, grimmsnarl continues the assault, staying close to meet the DOUBLE-EDGE with a well-timed HAMMER ARM.

the impact causes dust and debris to scatter, forming a cloud that soon surrounds them.

"grimster!"

[attr="class","noodles"]Greyson Connors

[attr="class","danny"]not really his environment, danny finds comfort in letting chloe take lead. he simply follows, pointing a finger over to the group of wild pokemon.

though cash cash doesn't know any confusion moves, he does swim forward to TICKLE them off.

danny signs a 'good job!' and then points further down the logs.

[attr="class","noodles"]@chloe + Greyson Connors

[attr="class","danny"]"oh wow! i never knew. i'll have to watch it later."

briefly, he thinks of Casey Fincher, of his first day modeling, and of their conversation over lunch. but his thoughts don't linger long; they're pulled away by serena's enthusiasm, returning to the moment.

"of course i don't mind! and yeah it's right...here."

with a finger placed on the map, he soon folds it back up and tugs her in the direction of the aquarium. they step through an archway that leads them into a small tunnel with glass walls and ceilings. it's the first part of the aquarium: a walk underwater.

"this is really pretty."

his hand squeezes hers as he leans in closer, appreciating the darkened scenery of life in the ocean.

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm

[attr="class","danny"]unfortunately, no i don't have any.

that's what he thought; he's sure he's never seen her with a water-type before. he nods, then answers her question:

"i feel like i have to say whiscash for cash cash's sake, but honestly? water-types aren't really my thing. don't tell him, though."

his whiscash can be really sensitive at times, even if he generally is quite oblivious. with a shrug, he continues:

"but i've always appreciated them in battles. they can be really elegant and fluid, which always makes it fun to watch."

the first part of the museum is all about water-types. it houses different models that are exquisitely crafted down to the finest details that one wouldn't even think of. they don't have every water-type, but definitely all of the ones native to hoenn.

at the end of the exhibit, he flips open the map, looking down at it with her.

"where would you like to go next?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm

[attr="class","danny"]"let's. i think first up are some models of the different water-types?"

with his free hand, he fans out a map of the oceanic museum; quite often, they'd be discarded as soon as they were distributed, but danny likes to keep them as a little souvenir to remember the trip later.

peering down at the map, he takes a step in a direction and tugs serena along.

"do you like water-types? actually, do you have water-types? i can't remember."

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm

[attr="class","danny"]it's not his birthday so danny doesn't expect any of it; but even if it was, he still wouldn't have expected it, at least not as much as serena's done for him so far. it's honestly a bit crazy in the best of ways. he appreciates it so much, appreciates her, and woudn't trade it for anything else.

so, naturally, he finds himself enjoying the day unhindered by any concerns that might have usually troubled him.

a bright smile stretches across his features as he walks back over to her. his hand reaches out for hers.

"you kidding? it's been amazing so far."

he leans a little into her, shoulders bumping.

"thank you again, sera, for all of this."

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm

[attr="class","danny"]"debating? there's no debate, ruby! you gotta join."

after swallowing the takoyaki, dee nods and raises a small arm to flex, supporting danny's point.

"we won't be participating but we'll definitely head out to watch the saint of slateport do her thing."

[attr="class","noodles"]Ruby Walker

[attr="class","danny"]grimmsnarl's expression quickly contorts as it's lifted into the air. it doesn't take a genius to see the SLAM coming, but for whatever reason, it holds on, soon finding itself being slammed into the ground.

and then again.

"alright that ain't great, but we still got this!"

words of encouragement seem to do enough for grimmsnarl to get off the ground. it stands, flexes, then closes the distance to swing both HAMMER ARMS towards steelix.

[attr="class","noodles"]Greyson Connors

[attr="class","danny"]"i mean it."

he's known for a while now; the lines of their contract blurred somewhere along the way, possibly from the very moment he signed it, because he's never thought of their relationship as fake or constructed for the sake of publicity, even if that was the entire point of their agreement.

somewhere along the way, he realized that he could not imagine a life without her.

and what else is that other than love?

i love you too, danny.

her words secure him.

he exhales a held breath, relieved.

"let's."

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm

[attr="class","danny"]thank you for staying with me.

"always, serena."

it's only then that he realizes just how good this moment feels — here with her in his arms, with a view he could only dream of, it feels surreal. so what better moment than this?

"i love you."

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm

[attr="class","danny"]"alright, logs it is!"

danny watches greyson disappear under the water, likely the most capable of the three to deal with such a mission. in fact, he briefly wonders if greyson even needed them around for this.

but he turns, faces chloe, then points to the start of the logs.

"let's go!"

[attr="class","noodles"]@chloe + Greyson Connors

[attr="class","danny"]danny's already fallen. hard. but that much has been clear long before tonight.

her soft kisses are intoxicating. she's intoxicating. he leans into them, embracing as her voice flows through the air, soft and playful.

"yes, but no complaints here,"

he says in between breaths. a chuckle escapes as he pulls her closer, craving her warmth. he tilts his head, meeting her gaze.

"i'm glad you asked me to move in."

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm

[attr="class","danny"]intentions are recognized and reciprocated — his own hand drifts low, past the hem of her skirt, and glides up, fingers grazing against her inner thigh. they settle

"let's"

between the creaking of the sofa and the loud moans, he's glad they lived alone on the floor. he would hate to live next to them. but they're young and passionate, so who can blame them?

"fuck."

more than satisfied, he chuckles, feeling happy with her.

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm