They come to a halt abruptly, with his eyes trained on her. In a heartbeat, he is all around her, a constant, dizzying array of love and affection and attention that she can't possibly hold onto all at once.

But she does, and he makes it easy, because he is holding her. His fingers trace her skin, brushing her jaw. He pulls her closer, whispers kindness and honesty. It leaves her breathless even before he seals his statement with a kiss.

"..."

He will be her sword and she his shield. Those words, that phrase, comes back to her with far more meaning this time. She'd meant it then, but she means it more now.

"I love you."

Greyson Connors

When he discards his towel, she does the same - with her hand in his. She twines their fingers deliberately, holding onto him tight and a simple stroke of her thumb against his. Affection swells in the same place that comfort does, warm and sweet.

He acts as a bridge, one that she crosses willingly. With their hands connected, he leads her down into the spring. The water rushes to meet her, overwhelming hot and leaving her skin pink and flushed. She exhales, momentarily surprised and then concerned. Her attention goes to his wounds, free hand reaching to hover just above them.

"Are you okay? Is it too hot?"

But Greyson only looks at her with a smile, and mentions alcohol. She shakes her head slowly, amusement giving way to a smile of her own. She steps closer to him, her heart full.

"I only need you."

gUIWEZEp

heat points: 863

Greyson Connors

It appears that Gwen is still preoccupied in the back room. Which is absolutely fine because while the boys are hard at work busying themselves with orders, she is hard at work washing up and replacing the broken dishes.

Dishes are stacked off to the side before being carried over by a far more careful Lopunny.

Greyson Connors Martín del Mar

The goings-on of the busy Cafe, the idle chatter, and the sixth order goes unattended by herself.

It appears the mess of broken dishes is larger than realized, and Gwen spends the entirety of this order sweeping broken glass.

"Shhh, shh.. no harm done, Florence. A few broken plates are not the end of the world, my dear."

Greyson Connors Martín del Mar

Where his attention fishes for her own, Gwen is far more distracted and excited. Her eyes are wide and brimming with anticipation and awe. She meets his gaze, of course, but only for a moment, drawn away immediately by beautiful scenery and directions to enjoy their spa day.

"Nothing like this."

It isn't entirely a lie, but she often felt awkward admitting to her many adventures - like she was bragging. But she honestly had never seen anything quite like this, and it was her first time here, in Hoenn, enjoying a hot spring.

He slips his hand into hers and she squeezes, allowing him to lead them both. Her other hand adjusts the towel against her chest to ensure it does not slip.

z9X2Jnfu

heat points: 937

Greyson Connors

There is no envy, she realizes, when he speaks of another woman - not even when he elaborates and she can detect the fondness he has for her. Instead, she finds it easy to smile and listen, easier still to grow fonder of him.

"I would never shoot you."

He squeezes her hand and her heart squeezes, too.

"I don't believe that for a second, Greyson. Things may not have ended the same if you had not been there."

Greyson Connors

Gwen's Sceptile steps up to the plate to utilize its arms in a LEAF BLADE, chopping up various ingredients for use in the upcoming orders. As each ingredient is set aside, Mars'D Dratini slams it all together.

With the Togetic hustling them all into working order, Gwen finalizes the prepared dishes by sending out her Hitmontop. With the use of his TRIPLE KICK, the Pokemon sends each plate across their designated tables with perfect accuracy. Noises of surprise and awe echo around the restaurant, giving the Hitmontop a confidence boost.

"... okay! What's next?"

Somewhere in the back, one of the chef's shouts following a loud crash. Gwen retreats to find one of her normally helpful Lopunny surrounded by several broken plates. It seems that someone has been a bit of a KLUTZ.

USED TRIPLE KICK + LEAF BLADE + KLUTZ

Greyson Connors, Martín del Mar

Somewhere, somehow, Gwen's Quilava from earlier assists in the next order with the use of a FLAME WHEEL. In the same instant that he does, she looks over to find that he has somehow gotten himself a chef's hat and apron. It singes a bit but they manage to pat out the flames.

And with that, the last dish for this order is finished. She lets out a relieved sigh, bringing them to the counter to ding the bell.

"Order is ready!"

To Greyson, she looks over her shoulder to beam at him. The woman also searches for Mars in the crowd to offer him an exuberant wave. It appeared that they were a real team, working diligently and effectively. And they were barely breaking a sweat!

USED FLAME WHEEL

Greyson Connors, Martín del Mar

Gwen, for the most part, helps to handle the bringing of the plates to the front. One by one, the orders pass through her hands and into Mars', or into any other server nearby. She offers a friendly smile, maybe a chuckle, before ducking back inside to pluck the next order.

This time, the order is a cheesy Rowlet pizza and a teddiursa iced coffee. How the two were expected to be paired, she had no idea. Coffee and pizza.. she didn't see it. But it wasn't her order, it was just her job to complete it.

And with Greyson and Mars both working so diligently, it makes the job that much easier. A brief kiss is pressed to her cheek and she smiles in return, brushing past him to gather up her own Pokemon. This time, the Pokemon she chooses are a Ledian and Chimchar.

"Elroy, do you mind melting the cheese on this pizza? Be mindful of your flamethrower, however, please."

Ledian does not need to wait for orders. In fact, the bug Pokemon is quite the pestering little EARLY BIRD, flitting around the room making absolutely sure everyone is doing their jobs correctly. She is even so bossy as to get in Mars' face as well, pointing her finger at him to scold him.

USED FLAMETHROWER and ABILITY: EARLY BIRD

Greyson Connors, Martín del Mar

Greyson's praise is a comfort, though she must admit working in the kitchen is not something she's unfamiliar with. In fact, it is more appropriate to suggest that Greyson himself is unfamiliar if only because she remembers the baked potatoes on the stove top incident.

That hadn't even really been an incident though. She's sure it would have worked. Probably.

Before it gets too crowded behind the kitchen bar counter and in the back, Gwen returns both Sceptile and Quilava in exchange for a shiny, sparkly little Carbink. It trills on arrival, twirling, before fixing its attention on the desserts they appear to be making.

"Diamonds can cut glass, right? Carbink, will you be so kind as to fix up this salad for us?"

Carbink seems more than eager, and promptly sets to work SHARPENING itself and chopping up the salad provided with the Leafeon's leafage.

USED SHARPEN

Greyson Connors, Martín del Mar

Gwen blinks, rapidly, at the clap of Greyson's hands. She is right at attention as a result, however, which is probably what he was aiming for. Amused, she begins to smile, before tightening first Grey's apron strings, and then her own. It loops lazily in a big bow and she rolls her shoulders.

While everyone seems to be hard at work, Gwen pulls out two pokeballs from her on person. The silhouette of a Quilava and Sceptile manifest, and both stand tall and proud.

"Hi, ladies. Think you can help us out? Quilava, I need you to carefully toast the bread for us, okay? And Sceptile? Hmm... make sure you unburden"

Whatever that means.

The two shuffle off to do just that, adding the finishing touches to this SCORBUNNY SANDWICH. It smelled heavenly, and a little spicy. That was probably the goal, right? Given it's a fire-type inspired sandwich.

USED EMBER + ABILITY: UNBURDEN

Greyson Connors, Martín del Mar

"Dialga?"

She frowns, trying to recall where she may have heard that name. It doesn't come to mind, and so she lets it go.

"How does a legendary Pokemon just.. disappear?"

Though after asking that she seems to smile and shake her head. How didn't they, after all? Weren't most of them mere mythsm legends? Never seen except in wise old stories? Of course they could disappear and remain hidden. It was why they were 'legendary'.

"I am glad you were there, Greyson."

Greyson Connors