[attr="class","body"]





GIDEON GRAVES was not quick to anger. But damn, if mila alexopoulos didn't bring it out in him.[break][break]

"Do you hear yourself, Gunner?" Realistically, probably only partly. The alcohol was most likely rotting his brain as they spoke.[break][break]

"Mila is a bad influence on you! She always has been!" He exclaimed, slamming an open palm onto the table.[break][break]

"I'm sorry, but you two just aren't good for one another." He said that, but he definitely wasn't sorry. In fact, Gideon had been holding that particular sentiment in for a long, long time.[break][break]

"You need to break off whatever it is you two are doing. Do you know what'll happen next time you fuck up like this and someone catches you? You'll be fired and in fucking jail! Is that something you want??"










[break][break]

[attr="class","credit1"]

[attr="class","body"]





"Oh? No, I don't think you have." He replied, his tone conveying interest and intrigue.[break][break]

"That sounds like quite an altruistic endeavor. With everything going on in Hoenn, I'm sure there's been an uptick in injured or displaced Pokémon."[break][break]

Inwardly, Gideon wondered at the practicality of such a venture. Would the Pokémon be rehabilitated and then released back into their natural environment? Or kept in perpetuity on the island? Perhaps that was determined on a case-by-case basis.[break][break]

"Hm?" As the two men conversed, Gideon looked over Ollie's crouched form, out further into the tide pool. He thought he saw a splash and a flash of bright blue... [break][break]

"Ollie, I think I see something over there."










[break][break]

[attr="class","credit1"]

[attr="class","body"]





"No." Gideon replied, deadpan. He wasn't going to let Ollie goad him into needless squabbling. [break][break]

"I can guess why you're here. We need to talk, but—"[break][break]

He glanced around, seeing many museum patrons resting on benches, walking toward the entrance, etc. It was too crowded for what GIDEON GRAVES had in mind.[break][break]

"Follow me. The front lawn isn't the place to have this conversation."[break][break]

Turning on his heel, the professor strode past the large double doors of the National Museum of Natural History, fully expecting ollie morales to follow without further prompting.[break][break]

Gideon walked with an air of authority and purpose. This was his domain, and it showed in both his countenance and in the way his employees reverently reacted as he made his way to the staff elevator.[break][break]

He'd hold the elevator for Ollie if needed, but their ride to his top floor office would be made in silence. Only when they were behind closed doors did Gideon finally speak again.[break][break]

"Why are you here, Ollie?" He wanted to hear it from his friend's lips instead of just making assumptions.[break][break]

Still, Gideon's attention was divided. He didn't look at Ollie, but rather languidly busied himself with removing his cufflinks into a small dish on his desk, rolling his shoulders to slide off his suit jacket, unbuttoning his sleeves and rolling them up to his elbows. Professional remnants of his earlier meeting that he didn't care to continue here.









[break][break]

[attr="class","credit1"]

[attr="class","body"]





It was indeed a manual vehicle. Those seemed to be cheaper to rent for whatever reason, and the museum and its financial division was all about economic efficiency! [break][break]

With a small, amenable chuckle, he replied, "I don't mind. I'm used to long hauls, though it's been quite awhile since I've done any field work this extensive."[break][break]

Gideon joined her on the driver's side of the SUV and immediately started the engine. They had quite the drive ahead of them before they made it to the closest documented rift into the DISTORTION WORLD. In the meantime, the two scientists chatted about their current research interests, academic backgrounds, how their careers intersected with Hoenn's tumultuous events, etc. [break][break]

The professor found Neffatari Nzingha to be a pristine example of an academic. He quite enjoyed their talk.[break][break]

Eventually they reached their destination, however, and entered into GIRATINA's realm together. Gideon brought with him a backpack filled with all sorts of devices meant to record and document his experiences here.[break][break]

"Let's try and stay close to one another. The reports I've read mention no antagonistic encounters, but there's too little data to support that as a certainty."









[break][break]

[attr="class","credit1"]

[attr="class","gideon-words"]




Passion was what was needed in this field.[break][break]

Without it, the long hours and personal sacrifices could weigh heavy over time. But Gideon guessed that Remiel Calcifet knew that well already. [break][break]

"Well we're glad to have you and your expertise at the museum. I think it will be a mutually beneficial endeavor." [break][break]

By the way he was working, so precisely and so intricately, it was obvious the royal hadn't bluffed on his résumé. Not that Gideon had thought that, but it was always impressive to see a professional at work regardless.

[attr="class","gideon-notes"]

[attr="class","body"]





"What? The bal—?" Gideon almost asked as Gunner slammed back his drink, but was quickly cut off by his brother's frantic explanation.[break][break]

A profound silence followed the other man's admission.[break][break]

Gideon blinked once. Twice. Three times. His drunken mind was working overtime to process what exactly he'd just heard. And though he wasn't someone who cursed often, after everything finally clicked, he uttered a loud,[break][break]

"...what the actual fuck, Gunner?"[break][break]

A wayward boot found the edge of his brother's chair, pushing it to put both physical and metaphorical space between them. Gideon definitely didn't approve of this promiscuous behavior.[break][break]

And he thought his kiss with Ollie had been inappropriate. Arceus, Gunner...[break][break]

"No I didn't see! I'd have burned my damn eyes out by now if that was the case!"[break][break]

He groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose between two fingers.[break][break]

"Why would you think that was a good idea?? Where anyone could have walked out??"









[break][break]

[attr="class","credit1"]

[attr="class","body"]





Was something going on there?[break][break]

Neither he nor ollie morales had expressed an interest in labeling what their friendship had progressed into. There was affection there — care, concern, and even conviction, too, though not always in a positive way. Gideon was reminded of how Ollie had tried to kiss him in front of PENELOPE LIVY at the League party, as well as the fallout thereafter. [break][break]

Had Gunner Graves witnessed that debacle? Was that what he was hinting at?[break][break]

"Nothing serious," Gideon paused, his eyes becoming unfocused from the glass in his hand. "...yet. Or, ever. I— hrm. I don't know, Gunner."[break][break]

There was an uncharacteristic exasperation in his voice that wouldn't have been there if not for the alcohol's influence. In fact, this entire admission wouldn't have happened, either.[break][break]

It was time to deflect.[break][break]

"What about you? I saw you and mila alexopoulos all over one another."








[break][break]

[attr="class","credit1"]

[attr="class","body"]





GIDEON GRAVES was just coming back from an off-site meeting with Marianne Lovelace, his museum coordinator. The two were climbing the stairs toward the entrance of the museum and casually conversing until something in Gideon's peripheral vision caught his attention.[break][break]

"...You can go on ahead, Annie. Let's connect again tomorrow and follow-up on today's meeting."[break][break]

The mousy woman nodded and hurried inside, leaving the professor to stride over to where his friend sat in the middle of the museum's front lawn.[break][break]

"Ollie." Gideon's voice was detached and neutral — normal, even, to the untrained ear. But ollie morales might know better.[break][break]

His umber eyes scanned over the numerous deflowered dandelions discarded in the grass.[break][break]

"You aren't waiting around for me, are you?"








[break][break]

[attr="class","credit1"]

[attr="class","body"]





As the weeks and months of their friendship passed by, it seemed like more and more to GIDEON GRAVES that he was being swept up by ollie morales. It was hard to resist the man's natural charisma and bright, endearing charm. [break][break]

Perhaps because he was so opposite to Gideon himself. It was a foreign attraction; undeniable and new and perhaps even a little envious. Everyone loved Ollie, everyone wanted to be around Ollie — in a way that very few wanted GIDEON GRAVES.[break][break]

PENELOPE LIVY, Caleb Harcourt. [break][break]

And surely many others.[break][break]

Somewhere deep in his chest a certain satisfaction bloomed as he was dragged by the elbow down the beach. Ollie wanted to be with him today. Had sought him out over all others for a mission that obviously didn't require Gideon's attendance.[break][break]

"Ahem," The professor cleared his throat, but really it was an attempt to clear the slight jitters he felt when Ollie looked back at him with those startlingly green eyes of his.[break][break]

"A Horsea couldn't have strayed for from the shoreline on its own. Perhaps it got stranded after high tide receded? If there are any tide pools nearby, we might check there first."










[break][break]

[attr="class","credit1"]

[attr="class","gideon-words"]



To mint frost's thanks Gideon's expression took on a curated look of both appreciation and measured professionalism.[break][break]

"Of course. If you ever need assistance in the future, please don't hesitate to ask either myself or one of my staff." [break][break]

Before he left, GIDEON GRAVES would be sure to collect the other man's contact information to follow up on his request. Perhaps further examination of another SLITHER WING besides his own would yield illuminating data. There was no knowing unless one tried.

[attr="class","gideon-notes"]

[attr="class","body"]





GIDEON GRAVES leaned back in Gunner Graves's dining room chair, full and content for what felt like the first time in quite awhile. [break][break]

"Oh yeah?" [break][break]

Thoughts of ollie morales flashed into Gideon's mind — his warm smile, his easygoing nature, his chiseled abs. Uninhibited as the professor was with alcohol on his lips, the memories brought with them a devilish grin, unhidden from his brother.[break][break]

"We've been friends for awhile. The museum hosted the Rangers for an event last year and we got to know each other then." It hadn't taken long for Ollie to weasel his way into friendship.[break][break]

"Why? Is that surprising?"







[break][break]

[attr="class","credit1"]

[attr="class","body"]






The professor's brows scrunched slightly as he chewed on the reading provided by @nio. Still inwardly dismissive of the whole ordeal, he nonetheless turned to discuss specifics with ollie morales —[break][break]

— only to find him locked on something on the dance floor. It didn't take long for Gideon to realize that PENELOPE LIVY and Caleb Harcourt had once again stolen his attention. Not only that, but they'd seemingly stolen his composure as well.[break][break]

Ollie didn't hide his emotions very well. Anger, jealousy, envy. They strained his bright face into something unrecognizable. [break][break]

"Oll—" Gideon began, but was swiftly cut off by a forceful tongue being pressed between his lips. He couldn't even shy away, as a hand on the back of his neck kept him solidly in place. [break][break]

Instead, GIDEON GRAVES had the unpleasant experience of turning the other cheek — both literally and figuratively — as he pivoted his head away from his friend's kiss.[break][break]

"Ollie—!" Gideon exclaimed between clenched teeth, more stern than he'd ever been with the ranger before. His concerned expression had quickly morphed into quiet severity.[break][break]

Reflexively, Gideon took a step back, bringing his body closer to PENELOPE LIVY.[break][break]

"...Ahem. Excuse us, councilwoman."[break][break]

Dr. Graves apologized; in his eyes, what Ollie had done was juvenile at best and unprofessional at worst. Though this was a party, it was still one hosted by the LEAGUE — an entity that Gideon worked with closely in his career. [break][break]

They would talk about this later.














[break][break]

[attr="class","credit1"]