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Although he does not say anything about it at first, Tam watches the way Orion interacts with the Phantump, remembering how it hadn’t been long ago that he had mentioned struggling to get the small ghost to trust him at all. He must have worked hard and spent a lot of time with it, considering that now he feels comfortable basically scolding Ceibo. There’s something sweet about how much Orion cares for the feelings of the Phantump.
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”Looks like she really likes it... What does ’Ceibo’ mean, anyway?” He asks out of curiosity while they walk, his sky blue gaze going from the pokémon to the man next to him.
[break][break]
”The call came from that white house over there. Figured we can go door-to-door, start off with the ones closest to it.”
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Realistically, all this would probably go faster if they were to split up, but going door-to-door in a busy neighbourhood full of kids? Tam would rather not deal with that alone. It sounds fucking exhausting to him. Still, he asks for Orion's opinion:
[break][break]
”We can start off with their neighbours. Do you wanna split up or go together?”


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There is no nostalgia in streets where children in costume run from door to door, excited about candy they receive. It’s not nostalgic to Tam, at least. Unusual, sure, but that’s because it’s a sight that’s only seen once a year, and the only memories it evokes in him are those of when he was a teenager and too old for things like these – back when he went along with his friends’ prank ideas for Halloween. He never cared for trick-or-treating as a child, and his parents certainly never encouraged it.
[break][break]
These days, he still doesn’t see the point of it, but judging excited little children is not the reason why the pair of rangers walk among the houses in this neighbourhood of Slateport’s lower district.
[break][break]
”Not sure if stolen. It could’ve just snuck out the door when opened for trick-or-treaters or something, but yeah... They want us to help find it.”
[break][break]
By his side, his Yamper wags her tail, greeting a couple that walk by with their small daughter – she's clearly wearing a Crystabloom costume, which most people would consider to be adorable.
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"...That Skitty must be terrified with all this noise."
[break][break]
Okay, so maybe he is judging just a little.

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Orion’s decision to clarify is the right call, although perhaps not for the reasons he’d expect. Nothing about the way Tam looks at him would make it obvious, but at that moment, he had been wondering why they would need to go upstairs specifically for something like this.
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Is Orion uncomfortable or something?
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That has to be the reason, right? He does seem to be made uncomfortable by most things…
[break][break]
Tam glances at the oven where the poffins continue to bake, then at the rest of the kitchen. For a second, his gaze falls on their pokémon, and when he looks at Orion again, a decision is made there and then. There's a slight smile, and he doesn’t even consider that they probably should wash off the batter on their faces....
[break][break]
”Sure, lead the way.”
[break][break]
It’s Orion’s house, after all. It’s only logical to do things his way.



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Tam is notoriously bad at playing unspoken games, because it’s often that a lot of the nuance tends to go right over his head. Especially on days like this: when it’s the middle of the day and he hasn’t had a single drop of alcohol just yet.
[break][break]
Tam takes things for what they are, and of course, he takes Orion’s question for an honest one.
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”You really don’t know?” He sounds entertained, and he even gives one of those slight and barely-there smiles that Orion Lykos seems capable of getting out of him with so much more ease than most people. ”I guess we could just sit in silence and wait.”
[break][break]
Sarcasm. Spoken as matter-of-factly as ever.
[break][break]
It comes followed by Tam leaning in and by lips meeting in a kiss.
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He's vaguely aware of the single quiet bark Clover gives. Apparently, she's still in the kitchen, but Tam doesn't mind this.


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Carved pumpkins adorn the lobby of the Slateport Ranger headquarters, the impressive (and oftentimes not so impressive) work of the rangers stationed there. Garlands bearing the smiling silhouettes of Zubat and Pumpkaboo can be found hanging all over the interior of the building, along with cobwebs, and all sorts of other typical Halloween decor.
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Everyone deserves a break once in a while, even rangers.
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Perhaps especially rangers.
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Thus, on this otherwise quiet night not long before Halloween itself, the Slateport squad parties, and at their headquarters quiet is the last thing to be expected. There’s drinks, there’s food, and chaos is all likelihood.
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However, let’s not forget, there had been three clear stipulations made when Slateport’s wonderfully stoic ranger captain agreed to hosting this party, and they are the following:



Now, having grabbed himself a cold beer, Tam leans against one of the breakroom’s walls, and best believe he expects those stipulations to be followed. Let's be honest, parties are not his thing at all, but at least he doesn’t look any more disgruntled than usual. As for his costume… a mask and a pair of black gloves will do the trick, right? Talk about a low effort choice.


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There’s something to be appreciated about the way a pokémon as large as a Golurk can so gently pass someone something as delicate as a piece of paper. It’s the sort of thing Tam pays attention to (perhaps if only to distract himself from the sheer amount of people he barely knows that are currently gathered in this room).
[break][break]
The agenda also makes for a welcome distraction.
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For the most part, it’s what he expects. FERNANDO SILPH’s thorough plan for Slateport City has already been discussed and preparations have long since been underway. However, meetings like these are always necessary, even if only for the sake of regional coordination and in case someone were to mention something not everyone may have thought of.
[break][break]
”The evacuation plans account for general chaos in the streets, right? I mean, it won’t just be people panicking when the meteor gets closer.” It’s the pokémon. All the wild pokémon living within cities. All the ones at the outskirts of every town. Tam won’t assume people like illeana reyes didn’t think of that factor, but as a ranger, he still feels obligated to point it out.
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”Eh... Basically, we know the primal points will disturb the local wildlife, but we don’t know how pokémon will react when the meteor comes. Most species have acute senses, that’s why they panic when earthquakes and other disasters are about to happen. Who knows, the meteor could also have some other effect.” He shrugs, mostly because he’d rather not call all this attention to himself. Such are his antisocial ways. Despite this, his expression is still as calm as ever. ”A bunch of panicking pokémon can become a problem and cause more damage and injuries. Figured it’d be something to keep in mind.”
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Once he’s done talking, he goes back to looking at the agenda as if nothing had just happened. As if he expects them all to just continue the discussion.


[break][break]

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Despite everything that has happened, despite all the chaos and despite lost respect, it’s out of a sense of duty that Tam sits quietly and listens. A duty to the rangers.
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No experience is dismissed as too insignificant to be acknowledged. Nothing shared is ignored even if it's something he has already read in reports or that doesn’t particularly align with the issues and needs of his own jurisdiction. When annalise henderson speaks of her new initiative concerning freya morningstar’s dragons, he makes a mental note on sending her an official message about it once the logistics have been sorted out – Slateport wouldn’t make the best home for most such pokémon, and that is something Tam is all too aware of. He’s too tired to say all that right now.
[break][break]
That in itself is why, when Orion Lykos mentions how he probably wants to leave, Tam simply looks at him and sighs.
[break][break]
”Sure do. Might wanna say your goodbyes and what not.” Tam stands, calmly putting on his suit’s jacket. It’s only then that his Yamper comes out from under the table, looking up at him as if eager to leave as well. He knows a lot of them are. It’s why his attention turns to Caleb Harcourt, Noah Camus, and Hailee Jacobs who sit nearby:
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”Caleb, Noah, Hailee… We should get going.”
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It’s with a nod that the sentiment is conveyed to every other Slateport ranger present, but his gaze falls upon Jax Cox once this is said.
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”Jax… You might wanna bring some of those pies.”
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What?
[break][break]
It’s clear Jax worked his ass off to make those. Can’t let them go to waste like that.
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jacob kim is given a couple of pats on the shoulder, and he nods towards jack wainwright.
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”Jake… Jack. It’s been good to see you both.”
[break][break]
So many people here have similar names, wow. Tam hadn’t realised this until now, but of course, surprised as he may be, his expression is as impassive as it has ever been when he turns towards Raziel Beckett and Talia Celes.
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”I’ll see you soon, Razz. Talia, you coming? ”
[break][break]
It’s often that Razz and the Slateport Rangers see each other. They work in the same city, after all, and the Silph Co ranger is more than welcome at their HQ.
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Oh shit. Now he needs to say some kind of general ‘goodbye’, right? Ugh. His attention turns towards the crowd, much to his tired self's dismay. At least he doesn't break the unfazed poker face.
[break][break]
”Thanks for today. Let me know if there’s anything else you need from Slateport… Good meeting.”
[break][break]
That’s that.
[break][break]
Once it's said, he heads for the door with his Yamper in tow, his gaze meeting that of Calliope Marks with a look that tells her to follow. They’ll talk about all this later, once at HQ. Tam cares little for making a scene, especially at a place like this.
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One final thing is said to the Slateport rangers once on their way out of the building:
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”We should pick up Arashi on the way back. Knowing him he probably didn’t even bring money for a cab.”
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Typical @arashi. It would be nice to have his smoking partner here right now, though. Tam really needs a smoke. In fact, lighting a cigarette is the first thing he does once out of Lilycove HQ.

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"I want to help, for once, instead of hurt. Myself, especially."
[break]
Tam would probably never say it outloud, the mere thought was more fleeting than anything, but at that moment, in a strange way, Caleb Harcourt reminded him of himself. He hadn’t become a ranger out of a desire to help, that much really had come later, but when it truly had come, it had been after his actions had put too much at risk – after he had made mistakes he would likely regret forever.
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”That’s all we can really… Try. Help.”
[break][break]
Keep pushing forward.
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Be better than what you were yesterday.
[break][break]
Tam took a step away there and then, nodding for Caleb to follow him. Clover’s ears perked up, barking up at the new recruit before going after her trainer with quick steps.
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”Let’s get your paperwork in order, then. Welcome to the rangers.”
[break][break]
Paperwork was always the worst part, or so Tam would always claim.




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He does wonder if Orion is complaining; if he’d rather not do this. He only wonders for a second, though. Clarification soon comes, and with it, that second of wondering passes, even if sky blue eyes still look into those as green as emeralds. It’s then that those words come:
[break][break]

[break]
I like you.
[break][break]
Someone else would read into it. Someone else would wonder if this means Orion has feelings for him. Unfortunately, this is Tam that Orion is dealing with, and Tam has a steady tendency to take everything literally. Looking for implications is not for him.
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”Huh. You must really hate cooking.” He’s teasing, of course. He even gives a slight smirk. Yet, in this teasing there is hint to an undeniable truth: Tam doesn’t think there’s much for others to like about himself. Quite frankly, more often than not, Tam is also not particularly fond of himself.
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It’s just another part of who he is.
[break][break]
He stays close. He keeps a hand on Orion’s waist. He still meets his gaze.
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”But... We do have a few minutes to kill while we wait for the oven.” It’s his other hand that wanders up, gently holding Orion’s chin. ”Might as well make the most of it.”
[break][break]
Simple logic.




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Perhaps he should consider why he wants this. Perhaps he should consider why it is that he enjoys Orion’s company much more than that of most people; why kisses are exchanged with such ease and why he wants him close.
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As many thoughts as Tam has dedicated to wondering about Orion Lykos, that much has never been a concern to him.
[break][break]
Things are what they are.
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He wants what he wants.
[break][break]
He holds him close, paying little mind to the fingers that tug at his hair. There’s a short pause for a breath, but it’s within seconds that he resumes with the same eagerness. They have time to kill while the poffins are in the oven anyway, and even if it’s not voiced, the thought does cross Tam’s mind.
[break][break]
Later on they can go back to baking and to carefully setting everything up for the sake of these pokémon meals they intend to distribute, but here and now, they get to be selfish if only for one moment.





[break][break]

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No matter how many times they have kissed, it’s always different in one way or another, and this time, Tam doesn’t bother with rushing things either. Savouring the moment, he considers it for a quick second, but that second passes the moment he feels the cold batter against his nose. He chuckles in the way he so rarely would when spending time with most people, still being all too close to Orion.
[break][break]
”That I do.”
[break][break]
A hand reaches for Orion’s waist, and this time, he’s the one who initiates the kiss – lacking in any hesitation. When has Tam been one for hesitation? He takes what he wants, and right here, right now, what he wants is exactly this.
[break][break]
Simple as that.




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”What else do you think?”
[break][break]
Where Orion may not be bolder, Tam definitely is, and he has no reservations about stepping closer, nor about grabbing Orion’s own hand and pulling him closer as well. There, with mere inches of distance between them, blue eyes look into green ones, and a slight smirk tugs at the Unovan’s lips.
[break][break]
Tam may be bolder, but this time, he leaves what comes next up to Orion. His choice, no one else’s.
[break][break]
Why?
[break][break]
It’s not hesitation, it’s not doubt, it’s simply a matter of wanting him to enjoy even something as silly as this.
[break][break]
”You have something on your nose, by the way.”
[break][break]
It’s also a matter of teasing him, apparently.



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