Matt nodded towards Ash. "Yup, Josh got me into rangers, then I got shot, and I quit cause some league fucker shot me." Matt, that is NOT how to tell someone how you joined. Though a brow cocked at the mention of cake. "Oh fuck, yeah dude, if you want to, go for it. Otherwise I know my shithead father in law is going to bring in some cook he knows, not that I don't mind him, but I want it to be my and Nico's wedding, not his dads." An eye roll. "Isaac, if you see a man who looks like a long haired Nico startin' shit, punch him."

Obviously he was not fond of Nico's father at all.

Though now he was smirking at Isaac. "Damn right you do. I have to go get one too, maybe we can all go together." He was reminded he needed to invite Jules...

"Have you seen Julia Davis? I need to invite her, but I can't get a hold of her."

Ashley Shepard Isaac Merlo

Matt was thrilled he said yes. "You and Isaac Merlo really comin' though for me." He teased, placing his hands behind his head. "Yeah, that waterfall near Fortree. We grew up playing around it, and it's where I kind of fell in love with him." He scratched the side of his face, he was never much for too much mushy stuff.

"And nah, we want to keep it sorta small, or at least not too huge. Can't fit that many people near a waterfall, after all."

Josh Devlin

Yes thank! Going to Matt

Thank you

"More like he needs to work on his skills period." Matt muttered, still ever so glad Isaac Merlo beat him in the race. Maybe that knocked him off that high horse he rode so proudly on. But that was in the past and he wasn't about to spoil the good news with that sour Razzberry.

"He's been good, we've been camping out outside Fortree. Been trainin', all that boring stuff." Totally didn't go to a meteor, not at all. "So you're gonna be my groomsmen, riiight?"

Josh Devlin

Matt gave him a bit of a face at the reconsider. Did he really not get why? Or did people lie and say something else...? That made his scrunch his face up. Looking vaguely annoyed, and his eyes rolling at the mention of Razz. "Sounds terrible."

"And I can't come back, because I have promised my fiancé, that I wouldn't so I couldn't get shot again."

Now the question of who, he was given the most dead pan stare of confusion. "Really bro? It's nicodemus unken! I asked him to marry me and he said yes."

Josh Devlin

Matt knew there would come a day where Rocket would see his skills and want to further them. Having only joined due to the way the league had treated him, destroyed lives... it didn't sit right. Neither did what Rocket choose to do- but he had the freedom and resources now to try and make something right. Not that anything felt right.

The meteor had took a heavy mental toll on Matt. The threat of losing his fiance, seeing all those pokemon frozen to their icy deaths, the utter bloodshed both sides had for each other.

It was honestly disgusting.

But alas, seems the Werewolf had been chosen as a hunt. He had heard someone would be visiting him, who that was though, he had no idea. Just someone higher up. Good thing nicodemus unken was off training, so Matt could hopefully have this conversation without his partner hearing. Not that he kept secrets from him, just he wanted to keep him clear of Rocket.

So he waited, back leaned against a tree, smoking something that looked and smelled very questionable.

As he waited, there came the old chum! Smirking at him, he stuck his tongue out. "Hey, I ain't a ranger anymore, I can curse allll I want!" He teased, seeming to be in a very good mood.

"Anyway, I need a favor, mang."

Walking over oh so casually, he held his hand up to Josh. Showing off the engagement band on his left ring finger. "Gettin' hitched! Need you to be a groomsmen, if you want to be." Oh, there came the red puppy dog eyes towards Josh as he asked.

Josh Devlin

Matt laughed at them. That perked their spirits up, which made him feel better. Looking to Ash, he grinned. "Hey, if you're a friend of Isaac, you're a friend of mine." If he knew he was friends with Aki, that would be even better. Though he was snorting at him to spill the beans.

"Nah, Nico didn't zeus-fu me to the punch." He teased, relaxing now. "I did it in Fortree, at my parents. Whole family helped me set up the house, the kids setting down the rose petals, my parents helped me cook, Nico loves my mom's spicy cookin'." He was beaming now.

"After I won Josh's badge, I turned it into a ring, and that's what I gave to Nico."

Ashley Shepard Isaac Merlo

Matt had expected to beat Josh in that chase, but it was still surprising he didn't keep chase. Honestly, it was some weird Christmas blessing he didn't go after him. Either way, it was a new day, and Matt had things to DO.

That was. Hunting down Josh. He had heard from Shelly he was in the gym doing some maintenance or something. So in scrolled Matt without a care. Not seeing him, he released Nana. "Go on girl, do a lap." He told her. Without a second thought, she went dashing off and howling up a storm. Matt laughed at her, as he strolled the grounds looking for his friend.

"Oi! Josh! Josharoooooo!!! Joshiekiiiins! JOSH MOTHER FUCKIN DEVLIN!"

Josh Devlin

Secret Santa time!!! uwu I hope you like!!!

Gifting Shiftry from here to Ikarus Rook

Accepted!

Matt listened, as much as a hot head he was- he did listen. Words might not process to him then, but they would in time. Facing a war at this age was hard, it was hard on everyone. People who felt too much, felt little, or ones who turned their eyes to the evil of the world to see the good. Those were the people Matt wanted to protect. Why he feared for Aki, if she ever fell to the wrong group.

No, get those thoughts out. There was no way she'd join. Though her loyalty... was fierce, and it was what Matt admired and feared.

A glance towards Ash, giving a snort. "You sound like my Ash." He swore he's heard him say something like that. "But... like I told him. I disagree with that statement." He muttered, thinking of himself. Yes, he joined due to some extreme things happening, but... he didn't consider himself bad. At least, he hoped he wasn't.

At the pat, Matt snapped back into reality. Smirking at him, he rose his left hand, wiggling his ring finger. Showing off the black banded engagement ring he had there.

"I kiiiiinda need a groomsmen."

Ashley Shepard Isaac Merlo