call it a soft spot, but niko has a particular interest in oldale for reasons he hasn't quite made clear to nina. all he's told her is that they're out here hunting for a pack of mightyena. for what reason?[break][break]

money, of course.[break][break]

"you see anything?"

[attr="class","ooc"]nina larson[break]

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

"you've already done a lot for me and for the kids."[break][break]

how exactly, he's sure he doesn't have to say. it's something for her to realize on her own; all he can do is help guide her there.[break][break]

his hands move through warm waters, caressing her thighs as she sits on his legs.[break][break]

"we'll keep each other safe."[break][break]

but he nods.[break][break]

"okay. i'll help train you, but it ain't gonna be chill."

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

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

niko would compensate her nicely. it's a shame she never gets to finish her thought.[break][break]

with a chuckle, he follows after her, grinning.[break][break]

"perfect."[break][break]

after plating, they're met with a choice of whether to eat at the dining table, which niko has barely used since moving in, or the couch.

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

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

when she speaks, he listens, finding her voice soothing against the heat of the hot springs.[break][break]

"the fuck you talking about? you are useful, jessie."[break][break]

but he understands the need to become stronger — to be able to protect those closest to him. it's why he took up his position in the first place when he could've easily let them all fall.[break][break]

"how can i help?"

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

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

"you really think i can cook anything else?"[break][break]

he can't, and it's not for lack of trying. maybe she'll find out someday when she inevitably falls sick and the role of chef has to fall to him. but then again, he'd likely just get takeout.[break][break]

"that...sounds nice. you sure you don't mind cooking for me?"

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

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

his arm moves to hold her when she scoots closer; the movement done almost without much thought to it.[break][break]

"i, uh, i try to always have a drink every new year. it's something the old man used to do, and i wanted to be like him, so it just became a thing."[break][break]

he smiles at the memory.[break][break]

"whiskey. no ice."

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

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

the red wine goes down smoothly without much resistance, perhaps aided by the fact that it's been sitting in the bottle for about twenty years. is that how it works? niko's not sure.[break][break]

"instant ramen, i guess."[break][break]

it's definitely instant ramen.[break][break]

"i used to eat it a lot when i was a kid. i try not to let the kids eat it too much, but they love 'em, too."

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

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

niko is just freakishly tall.[break][break]

"better than down there, i'm pretty sure."[break][break]

another sip takes him to the bottom of the glass.[break][break]

"want a view? i'll give you a piggyback ride."

[attr="class","ooc"]nina larson[break]

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

for as long as he could will it, she'd never have to kill for him nor for his gang. but the oddity that is rocket is often beyond his control.[break][break]

"like this view."[break][break]

but where she spreads her arms across the water, he fixes his gaze on her, admiring with a smile.[break][break]

"you're right. this is much better."

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

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

"yes, ma'am."[break][break]

his smirk is lost to the dim white light of his fridge that washes out across the kitchen floor. he reaches for the bottle of wine, pops it open, and then pours it into two glasses.[break][break]

"here you go. i only have red, but apparently it's meant to be really good."[break][break]

not that he would know. he normally never drinks wine.

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

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

"june twelfth. i'll be sure to remember."[break][break]

he's likely already forgotten. but he does make an attempt to remember.[break][break]

"dunno. cause you're small, maybe?"[break][break]

he gauges her height, moving his hand to just below his bicep.[break][break][break]

"short ass."

[attr="class","ooc"]nina larson[break]

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

"kinda forgot, really. stopped counting after my eighteenth. didn't think i'd live this long."[break][break]

a simple answer loaded with backstory he isn't quite ready to divulge just yet. maybe after a couple more drinks.[break][break]

"oh, shit! you're almost my age. no idea why i thought you were a baby."[break][break]

he laughs, sipping his drink.[break][break]

"when's your birthday?"

[attr="class","ooc"]nina larson[break]

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