he hears her.[break][break]

but how does one even respond to that?[break][break]

"i have no fuckin' idea what you're talking about."[break][break]

holding his baby with one hand, his other finds his phone, and after a quick text, he throws it back over somewhere.[break][break]

"doc's on his way."

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

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

"i trust you."[break][break]

there aren't many who have earned his trust, let alone enough to take care of his baby. but he smiles, returning the kiss before settling deeper into the couch.[break][break]

"but he likes it when i shake him..."[break][break]

slowly, niko drifts off to sleep, finally.

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

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

"get stronger."[break][break]

the answer seems simple, obvious, and it's delivered with a casual shrug of the shoulder. a sigh follows.[break][break]

"look, nina, outside of verdanturf, shit becomes real scary. i can't always be there to protect you so you gotta learn how to do it on your own."[break][break]

even within verdanturf, nothing is guaranteed.[break][break]

"i can teach you if you want."

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

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

that's the fucking spirit. he sees the way it burns in her eyes — he approves of it, of the progress he's seeing.[break][break]

the ditto-faced mightyena looks down at the mudkip, possibly perplexed, possibly angry, we'll never know. it simply tilts its head.[break][break]

niko soon approaches, gesturing down at the mudkip.[break][break]

"when's it evolving?"

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

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

bewildered, niko can do nothing more but take a step away.[break][break]

"okay, then don't."[break][break]

his voice lacks the usual gravitas that usually accompanies.[break][break]

"but you're not dying in my house. i'll call for a doctor to visit. until then...just stay there, i guess."[break][break]

he walks over for his baby, scooping him up into his arms.

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

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

"niko jr. sounds like something i'd name pink shit if it wasn't such a dick."[break][break]

he clicks his tongue, quick to realize.[break][break]

"shit, language."[break][break]

sighing, niko walks over to the couch and slumps down onto it.[break][break]

"i'll figure it out later. you sure you got him? his bottles and formula are in the kitchen and if he starts crying just shake him."

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

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

it doesn't take long for niko and his boys to gather up and trap the pack. it's why he's able to casually glance over to watch how she's doing, and gods, the scene is marvelous.[break][break]

"great job, girl!"[break][break]

he claps for added praise. but his hands soon lower at the sight of the rising mightyena.[break][break]

"pink shit."[break][break]

woof![break][break]

ditto takes off, charging before lunging at the other mightyena with a QUICK ATTACK.

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

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

insightful when the situation calls for it, niko sees how she pinches the sheet of the bed. he reaches his hand over to cup hers — another form of hope, maybe.[break][break]

"well, he's likely gonna come after you again."[break][break]

as long as she's in rocket, it seems as though there's no avoiding that bitter truth.[break][break]

"but also i don't think rocket's gonna let you off the hook that easily."

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

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

confusion rises as he's shoved away.[break][break]

"jessie—"[break][break]

why does she look scared? cornered? did he do something wrong? no, all he did was try to stop the bleeding. he looks over to his baby, wondering if it has something to do with him.[break][break]

"your wound's gonna get infected if we don't get it cleaned."

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

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

"please. i haven't slept for days."[break][break]

or even if he did it had been sparse at best. babies cry all the time, he's come to learn.[break][break]

at her question, he shakes his head.[break][break]

"nope. i asked pink shit what we should name him but baby niko doesn't seem appropriate."[break][break]

he pauses, turning a little so baby!niko is closer to her.[break][break]

"what name suits him?"

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

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

murky red smears across his couch as he sets her down. not that he cares — not in the slightest — his only concern now is on her.[break][break]

"you look fuckin' shit, not gonna lie."[break][break]

quickly, he grabs the blanket off the couch and balls it up before pressing it against the wound on her thigh. niko's no doctor but he's seen his fair of shit to know better.[break][break]

"we gotta get you to a hospital."

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

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

"nah, jessie. you didn't do anything wrong."[break][break]

baby!niko coos, giggling only when niko gives him a quick bounce in his carrier. is it even called a carrier? baby pouch. whatever it is, baby!niko seems to be enjoying it.[break][break]

niko pulls his hand away, leaving his baby's hair all spiked up.[break][break]

"i'm glad you're here now, though."

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

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

the brief lull in his baby's crying happens at exactly the right time. it allows him to hear the thud! against his door, and for good reason, he practically jumps out of his chair and runs over to the door.[break][break]

"the fuck?"[break][break]

his stomach drops. the usual crescendo of crying and tears stops momentarily for reasons he can't quite place, but they matter little as he reaches down to pick her up.[break][break]

he carries her over to the couch, placing her down gently.[break][break]

"jessie?!"

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

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