it's a miracle he's even able to lie down in this particular spot, really, as his bedroom isn't actually that big. he definitely wouldn't have been able to at his old apartment, that's for sure.[break][break]

his gesture is almost as endearing as the way her hand playfully flops against his face. he shakes his head to add to the effect, cheeks slapping against her palm.[break][break]

"you should wear them into the office next time."[break][break]

the office. it was easy to ignore that fact for a while there.[break][break]

"you know, cal...i really enjoy your company."

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

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

"that's plenty of time."[break][break]

in reality, it just might not be because time seems to fly by when he's with her which speaks to the quality of it, perhaps.[break][break]

uriah takes his shoes off as well but leaves his socks on as he steps onto the blanket. it shifts slightly underneath his weight; his foot moves to smooth over the crinkles before finally sitting.[break][break]

reaching into the two plastic bags, he pulls out everything they bought, setting it out nicely on the blanket. it reminds him of how they set up the baking stall once, though this is definitely far fancier.[break][break]

like the "gas station sushi. i cannot wait to try this."

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

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-simisear"]

"we did do uriah bombs. of course."[break][break]

it would have been tragic not to.[break][break]

"uhhh my style is just fine, thank you. actually, i think it's pretty good."[break][break]

the shirt is shrugged on, still a decent fit as uriah hasn't changed much in a year. he's managed to maintain his build well enough despite his busy schedule. but then again, he'd been in the army, then the slateport police department, so it should come as no surprise.[break][break]

he can't help but laugh when she trips over only to laugh even more when she just lays there, flat on the carpet. it's then that he slides off the bed to join her, laying right next to her. his legs extend out into the bathroom.[break][break]

"i didn't realize how blind you were."

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

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

uriah tries his best not to think about the impending doom that awaits them. or might await them. stressing about it does him no good, after all, as he is powerless in the grand scheme of things. even akura to a certain degree, apart from councilman GABRIEL BLACK's influence.[break][break]

"i think here's good? it's nice and shady."[break][break]

and it's a bit off to the side which allows them some privacy.[break][break]

once there, he is quick to set out the blanket over the grass before placing the basket down.[break][break]

"how much time do we have?"

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

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-simisear"]

"what do you mean?"[break][break]

feigning ignorance, he tosses over the shirt and pulls out another that's exactly the same apart from one variation. he's arm-wrestling another one of machamp's arms instead.[break][break]

"my friends had it made for my birthday last year. we all wore matching t-shirts to the bar."[break][break]

he shrugs his on, then walks back over to the bed only to plop down still facing her.[break][break]

"none of them wanted to keep it, though. no idea why. they're quite literally the best thing i own."[break][break]

one of, at least.[break][break]

"can you even see, cal?"

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

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

it seems like a silly question in hindsight when the options are either to remain naked or to change into her outfit from earlier. the realization makes him chuckle a bit sheepishly.[break][break]

"sure, sure. i got you."[break][break]

still not sliding out of bed just yet, he can't stop himself from making a comment.[break][break]

"cute bun."[break][break]

and after closing the space between them to give her a quick kiss, he moves away again, now pushing himself up before turning away to get dressed himself. he disappears out of the room only to return with bottles of water.[break][break]

"here you go," he offers one, smiling, then pulls open a drawer to rummage for a shirt.[break][break]

"does this work?"[break][break]

it's a casual t-shirt with a custom print on it of him arm-wrestling his machamp.

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

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

there are things uriah often take for granted. his bed that's so finely (and expensively) made, for example, that speaks to the finer things in life he's so used to from his upbringing.[break][break]

but he will not take this night for granted. nor her.[break][break]

"okay. good! because, yeah, i want you to."[break][break]

he lifts up slightly, propped on his elbow.[break][break]

"do you need anything? water...clothes...?"

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

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

it's comforting, the way her hand smooths over his damp, red hair. his eyes flutter shut for a moment as though he were able to prolong the moment. but they open again to a smile.[break][break]

"well, i am always right, so..."[break][break]

another chuckle, breathless.[break][break]

"i never really asked, but do you want to stay the night?"

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

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

laughing feels second-nature with her; natural, even. it comes so easily, unhindered and free and pure.[break][break]

with his red hair still damp, he rolls over to his side as well, mirroring her. the wet spot on his pillow only deepens.[break][break]

"yeah?"[break][break]

unable to stop himself, he grins, teasing.[break][break]

"and what are some of the other ways you'd put it, cal?"

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

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

somewhere along the way they must've stumbled out of the shower and dried off enough before making their way over to the bed because by the end of it, that's where they find themselves, breathless and lost in the moment.[break][break]

"that was, uh..."[break][break]

a smile fixes across his face as he tilts his head over to meet her.[break][break]

"...really fun."

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

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

the opposite of bashful? yeah, that checks out. he is usually bold and over confident which seem to be traits he picked up from his dad. best not to think about that now, though.[break][break]

"i do."[break][break]

whatever lingering nerves disappear when he feels her hand over his, guiding them down. he obliges with ease, drifting lower towards her collarbone, then her chest, then down the curves of her body.[break][break]

and once more, he leans in to kiss her.

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

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

her sheepish laugh and the words that follow draw more laughter from him; soft and almost melodic against the falling water and rising steam.[break][break]

"i don't think it's dumb."[break][break]

if anything, it makes sense because this isn't just a night they'll spend together only to forget about it the next day. this is one he'll remember. one he wants to remember.[break][break]

"i'm a little bashful myself too and you know i'm usually not."[break][break]

is it because they feel as though they have so much to lose?[break][break]

his hand glides up her shoulder before resting at the side of her neck. he holds her gently.[break][break]

"but i think it's a good thing."

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

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

"that's a very good question."[break][break]

he laughs even if he's not quite sure why exactly he had hired a professional. he thinks about it for a moment.[break][break]

"i guess i wanted to look my best."[break][break]

not necessarily for the party. actually, more so for her as stupid as it sounds seeing how there's not much difference in being painted green by a professional or by a random stranger.[break][break]

finally, he turns, then steps forward enough to let the water run down his back and not splash all over them. here, now, he's able to peer down into her eyes. beautiful, he thinks.[break][break]

his hand glides along her shoulder.[break][break]

"do you...need help?"

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

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