reaching underneath the dining table, he pulls out a conveniently placed gift, hand-wrapped in pink paper with ditto faces on it.[break][break]

"pink shit picked out the wrapping paper but i did the rest all on my own," he says proudly.[break][break]

"go on! open it."[break][break]

inside is a knitted hat, black in color.

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

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

"guess you should."[break][break]

he should as well. just in case the right moment ever comes up it's always good to be prepared.[break][break]

"i love you too."[break][break]

he kisses her back, whispering:[break][break]

"i'll always be here, jessie."

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

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

while everything looks cooked, he can't shake the feeling that he fucked up somewhere. somehow. he's not sure where, but they'll find out eventually. maybe.[break][break]

"not bad, huh?"[break][break]

he takes a bite himself, shrugging a shoulder after to pretend like it's not bad but in reality, he finds it amazing.[break][break]

"oh! i got you a gift."

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

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

"damn!"[break][break]

her ditto actually does it. it fends off the swarm of haunters, coming out victorious. an expression of pride washes over his features as he nods.[break][break]

"fuckin' good job, pink blob!"[break][break]

that's what he's decided to call her ditto.[break][break]

"and good job to you, babe."

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

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

understanding jessie well enough, he looks to reassure her with another kiss. his voice lowers, shifting into a gentle whisper as he looks at her.[break][break]

"i would."[break][break]

and that's the honest truth.[break][break]

"so don't be afraid to ask. when you're ready, of course."

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

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

in her absence, niko has had plenty of time to think about it. he's paced back and forth, restless, considering the many possibilities and outcomes of each one. naturally, the topic of marriage came up eventually.[break][break]

would he?[break][break]

"i'm never one scared to jump."[break][break]

into danger. into the unknown.[break][break]

still grinning, he presses a kiss against her cheek.[break][break]

"i guess you'll have to ask me for real to find out."

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

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

"uhh..."[break][break]

taking the salt, he grinds it atop his food, making it even saltier than it really needs to be.[break][break]

"three, four hours? not too long. it would've been faster if i didn't have to drop the baby off."[break][break]

the baby's currently being watched by one of the kids he trusts. well, trusts enough. but as usual, he has contingencies in place.[break][break]

"what do you think? is it good?"

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

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

"it ain't my fault! pink shit's wild!"[break][break]

but that's not entirely true. if he were to command pink shit to return, to fight, it would. but for now, he simply stands back and watches the battle unravel before his eyes.[break][break]

SHADOW BALLS are sent flying. the few haunters the attack hits go spiraling back into the shadows. the rest? they point and laugh.[break][break]

"damn. you gonna take that?"

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

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

pushed back and straddled, niko returns her kisses, trailing his own against her skin.[break][break]

her question, though somewhat expected, causes him to pause for a moment. he pulls back enough to look up at her.[break][break]

his lips snake into a grin.[break][break]

"are you asking me to marry you, jessica black?"

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

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

her birthday. niko remembers; made an effort to engrave it into memory because it's always details like this that he forgets. so when april ninth finally rolls around, he already has plans in place.[break][break]

nothing fancy. no renting out a restaurant just for them. no midnight walks under the bright stars. nothing.[break][break]

just a simple home-cooked meal at home.[break][break]

or in other words, food poisoning. maybe.[break][break]

"babe can you pass me the salt?"

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

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

not both their ditto. just hers.[break][break]

pink shit claps on from behind, TRANSFORMING from a rhyperior, to a ditto, to a haunter before floating forward to blend in with the other ghosts.[break][break]

"pink shit! noOoOOOOOooo!"[break][break]

damn.[break][break]

"looks like it's just you, jessie! you can do it!"

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

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

oh, right. the baby. how can he even travel? he has to take baby niko with him? the mere thought of it sounds horrible because he figures the trip will be full of crying and changing diapers.[break][break]

"nope."[break][break]

he answers truthfully.[break][break]

"never needed anyone else."[break][break]

never had anyone else.

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

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

"you sure this is alright?"[break][break]

it seems like a horrible time to meet her family made even worse at the fact that they have to travel all the way to ever grande. league central. cops. military.[break][break]

gross.[break][break]

but for her, he finds himself entering the hospital, feigning confidence where in reality he's nervous as fuck. imagine niko manner, big and tough gang leader, nervous to meet her family.[break][break]

"you, uh...you lead the way."[break][break]

and do the talking. please.

[attr="class","ooc"]@jessica @adrial gabrielle black Sirius Black Finley Black URIAH BLACK GABRIEL BLACK[break]

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