— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵.

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝕽𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘.ᐣ

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

⠀
‘‘ Marble, Tiramisu, Mousse, Crumble, Mocha... ’’

Clearing his throat – he's doting.

‘‘ You... get the idea. ’’
⠀

[. * • : 𝓣ɪᴍᴇ’𝓼 𝓒ʜᴀᴍᴘɪᴏɴ @ceruledgechum]

well—what did you have in mind? we can write some of them down and let him pick—?

i mean, if you wanted to.

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

⠀
Subconsciously, he begins to sit down on the floor as well. Does he realize? No.

‘‘ Oh, the problem isn't coming up with a name... It's choosing the best one in the sea of names I have in mind. ’’
⠀

[. * • : 𝓣ɪᴍᴇ’𝓼 𝓒ʜᴀᴍᴘɪᴏɴ @ceruledgechum]

groovy—! we’ll have to set up a day, then.

what’re you gonna name him? any ideas?

[* oh, looks like she’s making herself comfortable on the floor. sorry, arven. *]

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

⠀
a somewhat playful undertone lingers.

‘‘ I'm honored my culinary mastery is missed in your household. ’’

Mellowing himself out... ‘‘ I should have a clear schedule the rest of the week. ’’

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

⠀
Carefully scooping the ball of sugar into his hands, picking himself back to his feet to take with him. Sticky... but it's nothing he's not familiar with.

‘‘ Looks like me? Hah, the extra effort is appreciated. ’’

His chest puffs with a sense of pride. However,
( + )

[. * • : 𝓣ɪᴍᴇ’𝓼 𝓒ʜᴀᴍᴘɪᴏɴ @ceruledgechum]

[* a soft giggle, and a slight shrug, *] i just felt that it was more important that it looked like you, arv’.

he’s been dyin’ to meet you.

i thought he’d really suit your team—since you seem to like food themed pokémon—couldn’t possibly think of why. —

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

⠀
‘‘ It means a lot to me. I'll take good care of the little critter. Ugh, see? I told you you'd make me a sap. ’’
⠀

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

⠀
Oh, bright. VERY bright!

Blinking back to recover from the explosion of light and greeted by a brown Swirlix toddling about. It took every ounce of "strength" in him to not make his joy painfully obvious.

However, he doesn't hesitate to crouch down – holding his
( + )
⠀

[. * • : 𝓣ɪᴍᴇ’𝓼 𝓒ʜᴀᴍᴘɪᴏɴ @ceruledgechum]

[* within the package is a luxury ball—one that quickly opens, a brown swirlix emerging amongst a small explosion of stars and shimmer. it blinks up at arven before waddling happily in place, cheering happily. *]

i saw him and immediately thought of you. dad—

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

⠀
hand out to hover inches above the Swirlix, waiting for its approval.

‘‘ Not gonna mention it's a shiny? You're modest. ’’

His lips and teeth betray him – grinning from ear to ear at his newfound companion.

‘‘ Thanks, little buddy. And your parents, too. ’’
⠀

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

⠀
Taking the offered package. Oh, she remembered that.

She's an awful liar. That can wait for later, though.

‘‘ Ah, thank you... You're gonna turn me into a sap. ’’

Diligence – carefully unwrapping and untying any ribbons. He doesn't want to ruin the packaging.
⠀

[. * • : 𝓣ɪᴍᴇ’𝓼 𝓒ʜᴀᴍᴘɪᴏɴ @ceruledgechum]

[* extending her hands, offering the package with a bright smile. *]

door was open. [* lie *] i wanna be the first to say happy birthday, so i’m doing it extra early.

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

⠀
Glancing up for a moment.

Then jumping to stare at her in DISBELIEF???

‘‘ You know there's this really cool and interesting thing called knocking, little buddy– ’’
⠀

[. * • : 𝓣ɪᴍᴇ’𝓼 𝓒ʜᴀᴍᴘɪᴏɴ @ceruledgechum]

[* spawning in @herbaIistic’s dorm, package in hand. *]

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

ᅠ
‘‘ I'll put the movie on, sleep walker. ’’

Getting up, looking to place the horrid movie of choice on the nearest screen.

‘‘ But don't make a fuss if you fall asleep midway. ’’
ᅠ

[. * • : 𝓣ɪᴍᴇ’𝓼 𝓒ʜᴀᴍᴘɪᴏɴ @ceruledgechum]

[* she’s fighting to keep her eyes open, trying to keep herself awake by collecting each piece of fur into a pile. *]

not sleepy . [* liar. *]

. . . we’re supposed to watch a movie. . .

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

ᅠ
‘‘ You look beat. ’’
ᅠ

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

ᅠ
Suddenly, maybe getting wrapped up in all this wasn't his brightest idea. He's seen Charlotte moping before, but, yeesh.

‘‘ We can worry about what to do tomorrow. Only thing you should be worrying about now is sleeping. ’’
( + )
ᅠ

[. * • : 𝓣ɪᴍᴇ’𝓼 𝓒ʜᴀᴍᴘɪᴏɴ @ceruledgechum]

it’s like my catchphrase. . . [* despite her moping, she also seems to be getting sleepy. worrying took a lot out of her. *]

. . . i guess so, but i’m biased . . . i really wanted him to like me. he’s one of the nicest people i’ve ever met, Arv’. . . —

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

ᅠ
‘‘ I'd be rich if I had a pokédollar for every time I've heard that one from you. ’’

Revealed eye shifts over to her at that question ... and the moping sure is plain to see.

‘‘ Maybe.ᐣ I can't say for sure. You know him better than me. ’’

LIAR.
ᅠ

[. * • : 𝓣ɪᴍᴇ’𝓼 𝓒ʜᴀᴍᴘɪᴏɴ @ceruledgechum]

i would die for him,

[* she hums, closing her eyes. *] i forget how soft the dorm beds are. maybe i should sleep in my room sometimes.

. . . do you think he liked me? even just for a little bit?

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

ᅠ
Meanwhile, he sits on the closest chair in the room.

‘‘ Directly against the wall, if you want the truth. Big guy loves to hog the bed for himself. ’’
ᅠ

[. * • : 𝓣ɪᴍᴇ’𝓼 𝓒ʜᴀᴍᴘɪᴏɴ @ceruledgechum]

yeah? game night or something? [* she nods, flopping down on his bed. there’s mabosstiff fur everywhere. . . *]

. . . how much of the bed do you actually sleep on? or does mabosstiff take it all up at night?

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

ᅠ
‘‘ Sounds swell to me. ’’

He gazes down whilst still walking forward — a soft, but faint, smile in return.

‘‘ Maybe if they're all not busy, we could host a get together sooner rather than later. ’’
ᅠ

[. * • : 𝓣ɪᴍᴇ’𝓼 𝓒ʜᴀᴍᴘɪᴏɴ @ceruledgechum]

[* a soft smile, nodding up at arven. *]

yeah, i know. maybe we’ll have to have a sleepover some time. . . if it gets too bad for either of us, yeah? you’ve got my number too.

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

ᅠ
‘‘ If you owe us, then we owe you equally as much. Don't think yourself lower on the battlefield. ’’
( * 💨 )

‘‘ You've got my number, and a big ol' Mabosstiff who's always happy to see you and play guard dog. ’’
ᅠ

[. * • : 𝓣ɪᴍᴇ’𝓼 𝓒ʜᴀᴍᴘɪᴏɴ @ceruledgechum]

you did. . . i owe you guys a lot. . . but i wish you didn’t have to see it, y’know? i . . . still have nightmares about it.

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

ᅠ
‘‘ Ah, don't get all sappy about it now, little buddy. ’’

Another ruffle to her cap.

‘‘ I don't think any of us would've made it out if it wasn't for all of us being there at that moment ... We all played a huge role, I think. ’’
ᅠ

[. * • : 𝓣ɪᴍᴇ’𝓼 𝓒ʜᴀᴍᴘɪᴏɴ @ceruledgechum]

i’m glad i did. i’m glad it was me. . . most of the time, at least. i wish . . . i hadn’t dragged you guys into it too, though. i wish you hadn’t of gone into area zero with me. . . i put you all in so much danger.

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

ᅠ
‘‘ I didn't think it'd turn out this way either. I thought it was just gonna be a one - off, then we go separate ways. ’’

‘‘ ... I didn't account for you to crack what was actually going on, and then Area Zero. ’’
ᅠ

[. * • : 𝓣ɪᴍᴇ’𝓼 𝓒ʜᴀᴍᴘɪᴏɴ @ceruledgechum]

i mean—our first interaction at the lighthouse was a little bumpy, and then you were acting all buddy-buddy with me, what was i supposed to think?

i never would have guessed you’d end up my best friend.

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

ᅠ
‘‘ Agh— ’’

His arm rolls with the nudge, of course.

‘‘ How am I supposed to take that one.ᐣ.ᐟ ’’
ᅠ

[. * • : 𝓣ɪᴍᴇ’𝓼 𝓒ʜᴀᴍᴘɪᴏɴ @ceruledgechum]

it does look neat! [* she’s gently nudging him. *] i don’t think i would have gone with you to face the titans otherwise. . . i kinda thought you were a jerk. i’m glad i figured out that you weren’t.

[— ᅠ 𝓐𝑹𝑽𝑬𝑵. @herbaIistic]

ᅠ
‘‘ My ca— ’’

Defeated groan — taking the Rotom phone back into his vest. It couldn't have been that painfully obvious ...

‘‘ I just thought the case looked neat, nothing more. ’’
ᅠ