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GIDEON GRAVES wasn't sure what he'd expected to hear. Part of him wanted an explanation that exonerated Naomi Sato of all the crimes she'd been accused of committing, however farfetched the notion was. But he knew. [break][break]

This wasn't some medieval fantasy, after all. No ghostly memory of an altered Galar. This was Hoenn, and things tended toward the worst here.[break][break]

"...I see." The mention of Elisabeth Fiorelli came as a hurtful surprise; a pang of haunted remembrance shot through his chest, unaddressed. Instead of focusing on her, however, Gideon continued asking about Naomi.[break][break]

"And is what she said true? That the papers are lying about what she's done?"

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Though Yuina Higashi wasn't necessarily a friend, but a valued colleague, Gideon didn't bother correcting the enthusiastic stranger. What was the point? He doubted they'd cross paths again after this.[break][break]

Still, once they entered one of the several galleries housing the Hisuian artwork Eduardo Hisakawa had so urgently wanted to view, the professor took his time to enjoy what was on display. Despite working in a museum himself, he so rarely had the free time to indulge like this.[break][break]

"The restoration work on these pieces is impeccable," Gideon observed with an appreciative hum, his eyes caught on a nihonga-style painting of an URSALUNA lumbering between thickets of bamboo.[break][break]

Before he could move on to the next display, Eddie's voice drew his attention away.[break][break]

"A battler, are you?" As much as Gideon didn't like to stereotype, Eddie certainly fit the bill in his mind. Absently, he wondered if the man was a professional or if battling was simply a pastime. [break][break]

"Not for myself, per say, but for the insectarium at my museum." The professor answered, obvious pride in his voice. He'd built that program himself from the ground up, after all. It was one of his most personally satisfying achievements. [break][break]

"Though," Pausing briefly, a small smile creased his lips as he continued, "I do have this Kubfu who's a bit of a spitfire. More than I can handle, really, but he's a sweet little guy."

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Managing. Well, things could have been worse, he supposed. parker jones's talk of assassinations did cause a prickle of alarm, but all GIDEON GRAVES could find to say was a solemn, "I see."[break][break]

He did notice a few other things, though. The way she talked made it sound like they were quite close. In a way, the notion made him feel relief; Gideon was glad that, despite everything Naomi Sato was caught up in, she still had those that cared for her.[break][break]

And the more he looked at parker jones, the more he felt this needling sensation of familiarity about her, and about Naomi, and especially about the two of them together.[break][break]

He was frustratingly on the cusp of some sort of recollection.[break][break]

"Apology accepted..." Gideon replied hesitantly, realizing he didn't even know what to call her. "Um, what's your name?"

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The awkward forty-five second pause in the conversation wasn't lost on the curator — nor GIDEON GRAVES, for that matter.[break][break]

Now, however dapper he may have looked, the professor wasn't without some impropriety; he'd been shamelessly eavesdropping the entire time, somewhat curious about the whole situation. However, everything was within earshot. To no one's surprise, the big man with the big muscles had a big voice, too.[break][break]

Hearing Yuina Higashi's name certainly piqued his interest, though.[break][break]

"I don't mind escorting him, George. It sounds like he's friends with Ms. Higashi, after all, and I know how busy you are at the moment."[break][break]

Gideon interjected, patting the curator familiarly on the shoulder when he finally approached: the academic's version of tagging in to a conversation.[break][break]

His eyes, amber-gold in the afternoon sunlight streaming in from clerestory windows above them, then flicked to Eduardo Hisakawa. [break][break]

"Besides, I'd be remiss not to help such an avid art enthusiast. Yuina would never forgive me." [break][break]

The slightest of smiles tugged at his lips as he extended an arm.[break][break]

"Eddie, was it?" The professor offered his palm for a firm handshake. "Dr. Gideon Graves."

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"OLLIE!"[break][break]

GIDEON GRAVES's voice had never sounded so panicked.[break][break]

"OLLIE!"[break][break]

When the authorities cleared the area after mint frost had vacated the gallery, the first thing he'd done was barrel through the partition keeping evacuees from those involved in the incident. The professor sprinted around the scene, weaving through police and emergency vehicles, frantically searching face after face after face for him.[break][break]

He had to be alive. He had to, he had to, he had to. The mere thought otherwise caused Gideon's heart to constrict in a way that made him feel like he was dying, like he couldn't breathe, like he was losing something inside of him that was irreplaceable.[break][break]

"OLL—"[break][break]

There. [break][break]

Relief flooded Gideon's senses at the sight of the ranger. Safe, chatting away like usual.[break][break]

Chest heaving, sweat dripping from his brow, the professor didn't immediately approach.[break][break]

First, he did a deep inhale, a shaky exhale. A purposeful pause to gather his composure, to steady his rapidly beating heart. And then a step forward, then another, until Gideon was maintaining a collected walk straight toward ollie morales.[break][break]

Then he saw the blood, the clumsy attempt at stitching a wound, Ollie's obvious pain. Something inside him flared red.[break][break]

"Go. I'll take care of it."[break][break]

The young paramedic guffawed at him, beginning to resist. [break][break]

"Leave." Gideon growled, his tone low, cutting, severe. Whether Ollie gave his blessing or not, the stormy look on the professor's face was enough to shoo the paramedic away.[break][break]

When they were finally alone, he sat beside ollie morales on the bumper of the ambulance. [break][break]

"...what did the paramedics say when they looked you over?" He questioned, looking away to gather a curved suture and thread from a nearby medical kit.[break][break]

It was his way of asking are you alright?

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ollie morales had started this. Unlike last time, when GIDEON GRAVES had allowed the liquor to embolden him, his friend was the one who'd pushed them past idle flirting now.[break][break]

And there was no going back. Sober as the grave, Gideon impatiently pulled his undone shirt over his head and haphazardly threw it across the back of a nearby chair. He did the same with Ollie's, too, all while frantically kissing the other man. [break][break]

There was still honey on his lips. Gideon couldn't help but chase the taste.[break][break]

"Mmh—" The ranger's touch, purposeful against his thighs, fanned the flames of his desire — made him want want he'd been dwelling on since before their drunken night together.[break][break]

Breaking from their kiss, GIDEON GRAVES took ollie morales by the shoulder and spun him around, pinning his chest to the wall in one fluid movement. When he did so, he was met with a beautiful sight: bronzed muscles, warmed by the sunset light and chiseled by encroaching shadow.[break][break]

Gideon paused briefly, letting the moment slow down so he could fully appreciate it. He moved forward to press his body behind Ollie's, softly kissed the nape of his neck, knelt to trail even more kisses down his spine before halting at the small of his back.[break][break]

"Tell me if you want me to stop." He warned as he tugged his friend's pants down to his knees.









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Of course he'd enjoyed it. [break][break]

But the only admission GIDEON GRAVES would give to confirm that was a ghost of a smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips. Praising ollie morales any more than that would only encourage his naughty behavior in the future — and Gideon couldn't have that.[break][break]

Instead, he watched, transfixed, as Ollie leaned in close and whispered his little teasing remarks. Stood still as the ranger fixed his collar, their free hands loosely intertwined.[break][break]

"...later tonight, then." Was all Gideon could say to convey his forgiveness. [break][break]

"Now," With a squeeze, he released Ollie's palm and smoothed his hair back with the same hand before moving to once again sit behind his desk. "Your Fancy Museum Director does have a lot of work to do."[break][break]

His chair creaked as he sat down and assured, with finality, "I'll text you when I'm heading home."








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GIDEON GRAVES regarded the now-unearthed bronze plate with interest, leaning in over Remiel Calcifet's shoulder for a better look.[break][break]

"Remarkable," The professor expressed with interest, his eyes scanning every inch of the artifact, including the myriad depictions of dragons engraved at its edges. [break][break]

"It could be," He mused, unwilling to commit to its origins just yet. "But we'd need to do more testing to confirm." [break][break]

Suddenly, an alarm on his ROTOM phone alerted Gideon to his next appointment. He'd need to leave soon if he was going to make it on time.[break][break]

Checking his watch, he apologized to Remiel about having to go before adding, "I'll leave you to it, then. I can see the site will be in good hands."

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"I can see that you're skeptical."[break][break]

And that was a shame. He liked Howard, after all, and hoped they'd built some trust over their time together.[break][break]

But more importantly, the professor saw talent within howard slayte that just needed the right avenues to be accessed. GIDEON GRAVES had fostered many the young mind over the years — it was one of his core reasons for pursuing the career that he had. So why not another?[break][break]

"Think of it as an investment, if you wish. The museum will cover the cost as professional development for one of its employees." [break][break]

All Howard had to do was say yes.

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The elder Graves brother mutedly nodded along as the younger spoke, his eyes still on the smoking volcano seen through the window.[break][break]

It was an omen of things to come. Or at least, that's what it felt like to GIDEON GRAVES. The region was changing. More and more disastrous events kept happening year after year. And now? Even someone like Naomi Sato had been dragged into the conflict.[break][break]

"...Gunner." Gideon eventually spoke, completely pivoting their conversation to finally speak on what was preoccupying him. [break][break]

"I need to show you something and I need you to be honest with me." His eyes had grown hard as he spoke. Serious, unrelenting.[break][break]

From his coat pocket he retrieved the notification of absence that had been left on his desk by Naomi Sato. Extending the letter toward Gunner Graves, the professor solemnly urged, "Tell me what you know. Everything."

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