james doesn't kiss them on their foreheads because he isn't that close to them. what he does, however, is offer them his fist only to have the both of them bump it with theirs.[break][break]

"my pleasure."[break][break]

he smiles, sighing in relief as well.[break][break]

"what time are their parents coming home?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

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

noodles doesn't know this epic saga but james would because he's a nerd and also because his teacher probably read it to the class while he was in kindergarten.[break][break]

so, after clearing his throat, he takes the book from abi and prepares himself.[break][break]

james does a combination of a raspy and a high-pitched voice which somehow works. the kids seem to eat it up so he carries on, reading through the book and pidove's lines with ease.[break][break]

"how'd i do?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

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

"so i'd take the fall for you, basically."[break][break]

never say chivalry is dead.[break][break]

with a huff, james approaches, squares up with the ditto!man, and pushes him. it doesn't take much for it to tilt over and smack into the ground, splattering in pink goo before shifting back to its true form.[break][break]

"called it."

[attr="class","ooc"]Violet Fairbanks[break]

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

"aw, how cute."[break][break]

but also a bit annoying because where is he supposed to sit? he'd love to squeeze in next to abi but that would just end up pushing one of the kids off the bed, and james isn't cruel enough to do that.[break][break]

so, he reaches for one of the small stoops and places it by the side of the bed. he looks like a giant sitting on it, but it works.[break][break]

"okay! abi, you can start, and i'll jump in."

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

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

"oh! my boss illeana reyes specializes in that, too. maybe we're talking about the same person."[break][break]

well, he has two bosses, but his point still stands.[break][break]

at jayden's question on distortion, james nods.[break][break]

"it's been a big topic of discussion in the lab as of late. Eva Morales is publishing a paper about it soon, i think."[break][break]

then, with a smirk, he playfully nudges his friend's shoulder.[break][break]

"guess who's a co-author?"

[attr="class","ooc"]jayden cross[break]

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

on one hand, james could be judging the man too quickly. maybe he's just really tired? maybe that's just the way he is? but then again, the expression is uncanny.[break][break]

"we could just walk up and ask him..."[break][break]

but what if it says no? what if it's learned how to talk?[break][break]

"or you could maybe push him over and if he falls into a blob, then we're good."

[attr="class","ooc"]Violet Fairbanks[break]

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

love you.[break][break]

"i—"[break][break]

words stick in his brain like flies to a web, unable to move past the confines of his lips. his mouth remains ajar as she heads up the stairs.[break][break]

...what just happened?[break][break]

james looks over his shoulder at onigiri only to see the electric-type thoroughly engaged with the tv.[break][break]

"thanks for the help."[break][break]

swallowing his nerves, he heads up the stairs.

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

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

as usual, he flushes under her kisses, this time more so because they were kissing in an unfamiliar place with the possibility of being caught by the children.[break][break]

"you can get as many kisses as you want."[break][break]

another kiss, another boop of her nose, and he's gushing over her.[break][break]

"we should head up before the kids come storming back down."

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

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

james stares at the wad of cash, debating it for moments before finally shaking his head. he's never been one to accept money from his friends. he can take care of himself, or at least he should be able to.[break][break]

"fiiiiiine. i'll take the couch."[break][break]

he sighs, then stumbles over to plop down on her couch.[break][break]

"oh! do you have a blanket! it's cold!"

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

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

"no...they're actually quite pretty."[break][break]

some would say his eyes are also his best feature. not sure if he sees it, if he's being honest. they're blue and that's about it.[break][break]

"hm. looks like we're both not dittos, then."[break][break]

glancing off to the side, james sees a figure walking around with the most blank expression he's ever seen. he points at it.[break][break]

"i think it's over there."

[attr="class","ooc"]Violet Fairbanks[break]

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

the accusation catches him off guard but he tries his best not to take offense to it. instead, he puts on a smile, glances down at his features only to shake his head.[break][break]

"nah! if i was a ditto then surely my eyes would be round and lifeless."[break][break]

which isn't too far off at the moment...[break][break]

"and how do i know you aren't the imposter, hm?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Violet Fairbanks[break]

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

"i work in the lab in ever grande doing research. if i'm not there, then i'm delivering food or helping my parents out at the restaurant."[break][break]

and if he's not doing that, then he's studying or spending time with Abigail Mikhaylov. so much like avery, his schedule's packed, to say the least.[break][break]

he picks up his coffee, holding the mug with both hands.[break][break]

"you said you traveled a bit? where'd you go?"

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

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

onigiri tries to act like he doesn't appreciate the kisses but he really does. he huffs, shrugging away from abi to walk over to sit down in front of the tv.[break][break]

"don't mind him. he can be a bit tsundere at times."[break][break]

james watches the kids run up the stairs, and when they're finally out of sight, he breathes a sigh of relief and walks over to abi.[break][break]

"wanna read together? i can do the different voices."

[attr="class","ooc"]Abigail Mikhaylov[break]

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