"RAWR!"[break][break]

the two tyrantrums dash out the door, uriah chasing kai onto the relatively quiet streets of slateport's upper district. there are no cars, at least, which makes it safe.[break][break]

soon, they approach the first house, and it's with a nod from uriah that sends kai charging towards the door. while kai busies himself with getting candy, it allows the adults a moment to talk.[break][break]

"so how have you been, sis?"

[attr="class","ooc"]@jessica[break]

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

[attr="class","icon"]

his own dumb little laugh meets hers, drawn so easily from him. so effortlessly. it feels natural and not ridiculous at all because that's just their dynamic, he supposes. he can truly be himself when he's with her. he hopes she feels the same.[break][break]

"hi," he replies, breathless, and closes the distance between them once again.[break][break]

tonight, nothing else matters but them.

[attr="class","icon"]

layer after layer, they reveal more of themselves than they ever have before, even more than they did that one night weeks ago.[break][break]

"dumb buttons,"[break][break]

he can't help the small laugh that escapes him when she grumbles, fumbling with the buttons of his shirt that can definitely be tricky to undo. he places a kiss against her neck before pulling back for a moment; not far as to drift out of her orbit but enough to help undo the buttons.[break][break]

his shirt falls to the floor, discarded with the rest. with no layers left between them, he presses his body into hers, moving until she's laying. still kissing, he roams down along the curves of her body, against her thighs before drifting closer.

[attr="class","icon"]

their last expedition into the ultra crater had been a mess, and while there are a few reasons as to why, uriah could not help but blame himself for not being more prepared. what use has his training been?[break][break]

he reflects while visiting a shrine deep within meteor falls. it's there that he prays, incense burning away.[break][break]

give me the strength to protect the ones i love. please.[break][break]

his mudkip kips! behind him.[break][break]

MUDKIP learning DRAGON HAMMER

[attr="class","bottom"]URIAH BLACK[break]

[attr="class","icon"]

maybe this is how things will always be. the three of them seem capable on their own. they seem to care about each other far beyond anyone's capable of feeling about him. maybe they'll be fine on their own.[break][break]

but the sight of the KARTANA snaps him right out of it.[break][break]

"chad! fall back!"[break][break]

more pokeballs pop open, this time his pair of pyroar emerge, tails flicking before a combined torrent of FLAMETHROWER pours out, painting orange and red over a canvas of green.[break][break]

"get back, guys! i'll cover our retreat!"[break][break]

and when he's sure they're safe, then he'll turn and join them.[break][break]

🗺️ URIAH BLACK's insecurity surrounding his anxiety over not fitting in into any group despite the black family name must be explored in this thread.

[break][break]

q1efHPEj

[attr="class","bottom"]calla roth Kieran Roth Greyson Connors[break]

[attr="class","icon"]

he's not drunk either and the thrill is still equally there, perhaps even more so now that he's not under the influence of alcohol. with nothing numbing his system, he's able to feel the connection. the draw that pulls him closer and closer until their bodies are pressing against each other.[break][break]

undeniable.[break][break]

his glass of wine is abandoned on the table, the floor, wherever. his hand reaches up to hold her, then starts moving as he attempts to strip layers off of her. the fireplace should keep her warm enough, and if not that, then he will.

[attr="class","icon"]

her reassurance soothes him, easing his worries for him to nod and make an unspoken promise to always be honest with her.[break][break]

his heart leaps at her admission that really shouldn't have come as a surprise. it still does, however, and he can't help the smile that blooms.[break][break]

"a lot, huh?"[break][break]

he squeezes her hand, leaning closer.[break][break]

"yeah, it'd be really nice to find out."[break][break]

finally, he gives into her pull and kisses her.

[attr="class","icon"]

cozy. one of his favorite feelings in the world.[break][break]

when her hand finds his, he inches just a little bit closer, drawn to her yet not daring to take the leap as of yet. but with every word shared, every look, he draws closer and closer.[break][break]

"to be honest i didn't think i'd get another shot."[break][break]

he really did think that it was over. that he'd have to move on or risk losing her for good.[break][break]

"but like i said that night, i really like you, cal."

[attr="class","icon"]

he scooches a little closer as well, folding a knee underneath him so he can angle his body towards her.[break][break]

"yeah, i mean, this is nice. the wine, the fire, the snow."[break][break]

it's almost as though the forces of nature willed it so they'd be here, as insane as that sounds. he finds that he much prefers being here than in the bar.[break][break]

he sips his wine, gaze never quite straying from her.[break][break]

"thank you for coming."

[attr="class","icon"]

"gotcha!"[break][break]

when he walks out of the kitchen, he's pleasantly surprised by the sight of her looking back at him. it makes him smile, feeling warm even before he reaches her side once again.[break][break]

he offers her one glass. he had picked red, deciding it to be a little more fitting and comfortable.[break][break]

"you, uh..."[break][break]

not sure why he fumbles but he chuckles after, managing the words out.[break][break]

"you look really beautiful tonight, by the way."

[attr="class","icon"]

"uh, good question."[break][break]

oblivious as ever, he stands and walks over into the kitchen to pull open some cabinets as well as the fridge. he pokes his head back around the corner to call out their options.[break][break]

"water, whiskey, or wine! both red and white."[break][break]

the wine sounds good, actually. but he'll wait for her to answer.

[attr="class","icon"]

"right? i've missed it a lot."[break][break]

he pokes firewood, making sure they're positioned properly and quickly calls out his combusken. it breathes a FLAMETHROWER into the fireplace before being recalled back into its pokeball. the fireplace burns not too brightly but definitely warmly.[break][break]

stepping away, he shrugs his jacket off and joins her on the couch before realizing.[break][break]

"oh i forgot! do you want something to drink?"