Fern doesn’t mean to speak ill of Jayden’s family, or insult the dead. Or perhaps they do, from the deep hold they find lingering in different corners of the other’s mind and heart. It causes an ugly bitterness to settle in the pit of their stomach—a distaste and lack of respect for the family that failed to nurture in the way that a family should.[break][break]

So their fingers continue to comb through his hair, as they partially expect a defense or rebuttal. But when Fern is met with first with a smile and then a kiss instead, they feel a shift. Something pivotal changing, as small as it might be.[break][break]

“Mmm, I’d argue that anything fun is worth it,” they reply lightly, voice feeling airy and far away as they’re tugged closer. The heat of skin against skin is soothing in a way that Fern had forgotten and they nestle closer, head tucking under Jayden’s chin so that their face can burrow against the crook of his neck.[break][break]

“And it was, though painful, an awful lot of fun.” Their smile is a sleepy one, and they can feel the weight of drowsiness begin to settle over them like a warm blanket. It’s peaceful, it’s nice. Something about this makes their heart twist up in a way they haven’t felt in a long time.[break][break]

It’s something that has staying power, they think, if the both of them will allow it.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] jayden cross | ....what kinda honey u lookin for, jay >:3[break]

[attr="class","icon"]

Fern was neither earlier, nor late. Arriving right in the middle of the pack with his dragapult hovering along on his heels, shortly behind Marza Volchitsa . Who, by the way, he was very proud of for her own rank elevation. And would never do something like leverage his own power to boss her around…maybe. In all sincerity, though, it was a bit boggling for them both to be there now, and as he settled in a seat between her and jayden cross , he leaned toward Marza and nudged her with an elbow.[break][break]

“Look at us, huh Marzy?” he cajoled, cracking a lopsided grin at her before sitting up straighter in his seat again once the proceedings started to roll out with steadier pace.[break][break]

His head inclined toward Jayden at the congratulatory remark, “Thank you for the introduction and the opportunity.” It felt…odd, to speak so formally to the other, but he pushed forward— glance moving to drift over the other faces seated at the table. “I’ll be overseeing most affairs in forgery and counterfeit, so in light of everything, if you’re aware of any identity exposures that may have occurred or seem pressing, I’d be glad to discuss further and greater detail afterward, if needed.”[break][break]

Leaving it there, Fern settled back in his seat to hear more about Littleroot and Meteno, and his attention shifted partially to scroll through the report on the tablet in front of him. The primal shard from Mt. Pyre that he’d gathered sat safe and unacknowledged in his pocket for the time being, readily accessible (should it be brought up,) for the rest to observe.

“You say that like it’s a bad thing, but it ensures my opinion never goes unheard.” Fern fixed him with a thin, smug smile. It was amusing, yes, and he enjoyed reading the younger man. But, well, it was a bit sad too, wasn’t it? Fern had only just learned the boon in forming a steady attachment, but that didn’t mean he’d never enjoyed dalliances. So either way, he couldn’t imagine keeping silent on any sort of interest felt. Casual or serious.[break][break]

In Fern’s opinion, Levy was only short-changing himself.[break][break]

“Just from what you’ve said about him,” he replied with a shrug, coy smile tugging at the corners of his mouth when Levy showed interest despite trying to pretend otherwise. “If you’re no good. Like, really no good, why would he stick around if not because he’s pining just as much?” Fern’s brows lifted at the other and then he turned to continue chucking pokeballs out at the pikachu.[break][break]

As Levy continued speaking, though, Fern cut a glance sideways and his smile tugged into a frown. “Shit, you’re still just a kid, Levy.” Pretty much, anyway. “Cut yourself some slack. You’re not that rotten.” And Fern thought he was dramatic.[break][break]

“Maybe, you know, trust him if he’s your best friend or whatever. Give him a little more credit than just assuming he’s going to kick you down for whatever idea of yourself you’ve got cooking up in that little emo head of yours.” In Fern speak: just shoot your shot, you ninny.[break][break]

Fire extinguished and a decent portion of pikachu contained, Fern huffed as he nodded. “Yes, happy.” His arms folded as he shot Levy another look, “and hey. I’m not all cotton between my ears, thanks. I can be chill. Less so if that fire had gotten out of hand and had drawn rangers to the site. Then we might’ve been detained, or forced to abandon our haul. Think ahead, Alinsky.”[break][break]

He stooped to begin tossing balls back into the bag they’d come out of. “Always think ahead. And don’t assume that just because someone is loud, they lack total awareness.” There was more than a hint of a lecture there for the younger Rocket, but he still looked up with a slight smirk. “Sometimes it’s the opposite.”

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] Levy Alinsky | m: pika pickup | lil bby bird...[break]


[attr="class","pokesprite pokemon dragapult"]

Maybe Fern should’ve waited until the actual morning for this. But they were a fanciful creature, and thought that this felt far sweeter. Not to mention the sleepy eyes and heavy voice were adorable on Jayden as violet eyes blinked open to look at them with confusion.[break][break]

“I said, it’s Christmas.” They repeated, fingers still carding through the other’s hair. Their other arm was propped under their head as Fern watched them, smile stretching wider.[break][break]

“Also, someone told me it was your birthday today.” Thank mint frost for that important little nugget of information. “So more than that, happy birthday.”

Scooting closer, they pressed a lazy kiss to his lips, though Fern themself was still buzzing with energy. Lowlight seeped into the bedroom from down the hall—a remnant of the lights they’d hung earlier. They pushed up to sit, blankets pooling down to their waist as they twisted reach for the bedside drawer.[break][break]

“I got you something, okay? And I know there’s gonna be like, all sorts of things to do later. So I wanted to give this to you now, while it’s just us. In case, you know, people visit or whatever.” It was a social holiday, and as much as they’d like, there was no guarantee they’d be able to hog jayden cross all to themself.[break][break]

They weren’t able to get it quite right, but they did their best with it in the limited time they had now that their schedule had grown significantly busier. Plus, the Pokémon inside the ball had proven amicable. They had practiced together and everything.[break][break]

Once the other seemed alert enough, Fern pulled a pokeball from the drawer—a cherish ball, more specifically. Then, as an unexpected flutter of nerves burst in their stomach, they presented it to Jayden, held out in the flat of their palm.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] jayden cross | m: festive flirts……[break]

“Sure you’re not.”[break][break]

It was said in a singsong voice, one that said he knew he’d gotten under Matias’ skin much easier than the other wanted to admit. He shot a passing delibird a thumbs up, congratulating himself on the effort.[break][break]

The poor little vanillish, though, undeserving of the other man’s cold shoulder. But Fern should probably get going too. He’s starting to lose feeling in his toes.[break][break]

“I look forward to it~”[break][break]

With great enthusiasm, in fact.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] MATIAS SILPH | skipping[break]


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