002 | Cherrygrove City | Action;
[After a productive (but admittedly somewhat boring) five hours of work sorting and filing papers at the Cherrygrove Pokémon Center, it's finally time for Yagyuu to head for home--or at least, for the room at the Cherrygrove Inn he's been sharing with Kirihara-kun since they both arrived in the city yesterday. He'd gladly work longer hours if they'
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This is not going to be a hug. Not a hug not a hug not a hug not a hug-
He punches Yagyuu in the arm, and says nothing, because 'hey, loser' is the only thing he can think of, and that's stupid. ]
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It shouldn't be as moving as it is, perhaps, to see them all in front of him. He knew they were here. He's already encountered Kirihara-kun. He's seen them just about every day of his life for the past three years. It's certainly not as though they're unexpected or unfamiliar. But it's more than just his teammate this time, it's his captain, his partner. And at the moment, there's no one he'd wanted to see more.
Which is part of the reason why he has to hide a smile as Niou's punch connects, unhindered, with his arm. It seems he's not the only one who's happy to see his partner, after all.
(But he doesn't rub it, either, because that would be like letting Niou win.) ]I probably deserved that, having kept you waiting so long. Hello ( ... )
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[ His tone is derisive, but he can't help a grin. Yagyuu can't really hide a smile, not from Niou, not right now, not any more than Niou can hide his own. Six fucking months, and they're finally together again.
Yagyuu deserves way more than a punch on the shoulder, but with so many people looking on, Niou doesn't dare. ]
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[The banter is easy and familiar, but it still seems frustratingly impersonal for this reunion. It's not hard to see why it's happening, and he's certainly not uncouth enough to wish their audience would disappear...but it grates, just a little, to act as though their separation were measured in nothing more dramatic than hours when he knows for Niou it's been months.]
I appreciate the rescue. However shall I make it up to you?
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Oh, coffee. Maybe a day at the spa. I'll think of somethin' else later.
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[He adjusts his backpack strap, glancing back over his shoulder in the direction he came before turning his eyes back to his partner.]
But I do have a job here now. So it shouldn't be particularly difficult to spoil you, if that's what you want.
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[ He shrugs, swinging his messenger bag around in front of him to dig inside, and after a moment, produces three wallets, which he shows only briefly before tucking them back into the bag. ]
Don't really need a sugar daddy - and you don't really need to work - but like I said, I'll come up with somethin'.
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[The late afternoon light reflecting off his glasses isn't quite enough to hide the flicker of mirth that flashes through Yagyuu's eyes at the sight of the wallets. He knows better than to ask, and frankly it's probably better that he doesn't know, anyway, but really. Leave it to Niou.]
It's paying for my inn room, at least. And it's given me the opportunity to get accustomed to things so far.
[And in a way, it's better than the alternative, which is embracing his destiny as a Pokemon trainer and actually working with Phantom.]
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[ He glances briefly and surreptitiously around them, but the only people in the immediate vicinity are Fuji and Yukimura - and it's not as though they don't know.
Still, he drops his voice. ]
The Team Rocket Headquarters, up north in Mahogany Town.
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[And up go his eyebrows, both at the evident need for secrecy and for the admission that follows it.]
You're affiliated with them.
[Somehow, it isn't a question.]
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[ It's effectively an answer to both the question and the non-question posed. Niou swings his bag back behind him again, adopting a more nonchalant stance. ]
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[This time, his face is a perfect mask.]
Fortunately, you're here now. Safety in numbers, isn't it?
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Yeah, we'll protect you from those Rocket ruffians. All three of us.
[ There's not much emphasis placed on that last bit, but Niou figures Yagyuu might catch on, anyway. ]
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[But if Niou's really implying what he thinks he's implying--well, that's something of a surprise. Not so much Niou ending up on Team Rocket, perhaps, but Yukimura? And Seigaku's Fuji?
...Evidently there's a lot more to Fuji than meets the eye.]
When did you cut your hair?
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[ He'd forgotten, honestly, and the mention of it makes him reach up to comb the back of his hair with his fingers somewhat self-consciously. ]
Too much?
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[Different enough that the white wig stowed safely in his backpack isn't a perfect match anymore. And different enough to hammer home just how different their perceptions of the time that's passed since they last saw each other really are.]
Do you like it better that way?
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