gunslingerqueen | IC Contact + Overflow

A lot of different people shouldn't be allowed to do a lot of different things.

[The world is your oyster, until you have to swallow all of the dirt inside of it and avoid choking.]

Be perfectly reasonable and just stay with me until I fall asleep. [No, she can't bury her face into the back of the couch enough, but damn, if the attempt isn't made.]

I'll stay, of course. [gentles his voice a little. that doesn't mean he's going to listen to her advice.

if you have the power to do something, you should]

Did you get to eat?

[She has to believe that he'll listen, for now, otherwise she might never rest.]

Nuh-uh.

[Food is the farthest thing from her mind, but she does lazily poke at a covered section of her collarbone. Luckily none of the blood is visible.] ... Could you pick up some gauze and stuff later? There's money in my wallet it's, somewhere.

[Over by Pasha, actually.]

[he gives a very, very soft intake of breath-- fear there, worry-- shock too-- but then he nods at her]

Okay, sure. I can do that. Want me to pick up some fast food too? Something greasy?

[It's for the best that she's too relaxed to actually hear it, the anxiety would set her off, otherwise.]

Hmm. [He's not getting his hand back until she's knocked out, which won't be too much longer.]

That place with the milkshakes. [Did they actually get them? She was utterly smashed and can't remember but there were definitely burgers, and they were greasy.]

That sounds tasty. I might even try one of the weirder flavors this time. Like mint.

[he gently, gently rubs the back of her hand with his thumb, over and over.]

[A weird sound: concerned judgment over the idea of a mint milkshake, but she'd still find a lot of joy in watching him try it.] ... Cake.

[As in, the birthday cake milkshake that was on the menu, but went unordered that night. There's other stuff to say: Her extra room key is by the door, could he check on Pasha? Was he really okay with her leaning on him this way? But that rhythmic motion is comforting, and lulls her to sleep with an embarrassing quickness.

If he moves slow enough, Gladion can retrieve ownership of his hand.]

[his own breathing easing, he continues the motion a little longer, just to ensure she's truly in a deep sleep before he does slowly, so slowly, lay her hand at her side, and move.

There's a little Pokemon to check, and cake milkshakes to get. He won't be gone for long, much as he doesn't want to leave at all.]

[A wispy hum, she’s none the wiser as he goes. Pasha is in a similar mood thanks to the bevy of toys nearby. These days, Nariko doesn’t dream very much and that’s likely for the best. No matter how much time passes until Gladion returns she remains on the couch, a little more sprawled out but at ease.

Pasha is up, though, sitting on her hip, and blinking up at Gladion upon his return.]

[once he's certain she's comfortable, he turns his attention to the Pokemon again. Gotta make sure they're taken care of.

He puts a finger to his lips and whispers to Pasha]

She's resting. I'll give you some food now, okay? You hungry?

[the little one's got to be. at this age, they'll eat you out of house and home]

[Not entirely unlike the matching human in question, Pasha's eyes downright sparkle with the prospect of food. The Pokemon is not remotely concerned with launching itself off of Nariko's body which is ... Fine, the way she mutters and turns her face into a throw pillow speaks to the repeat offense.

Pasha marches over with what can only be described as a prideful strut.

But there's definitely food, right? Some for the adored little buddy, but also Nariko, whose stomach is voracious even on a normal day. Enjoy the twenty seconds of freedom because it'll have her up soon.]

[he winces a tad-- but when Nariko only stirs a tad, but returns to slumber, unbothered for the most part, he relaxes.

okay, get the Pokemon fed first. there's food for them, their trainer said. he can do this! just get the food she'd indicated, the little bowl, this is fine.

maybe he can call take out-- he doesn't feel the happiest about leaving Nariko like this. especially not with that vague story she gave him.]

[There are several bowls and three different bags of food, some hastily scribbled post-it notes to remind herself of which one to actually buy again. She'd really gone nuts at the store for this kid, and Pasha doesn't appear to be against the endless love and adoration, they make happy noises when the food is provided!

Much like their human trainer (???), just give them a meal and all was well!

He's right to be worried about leaving her alone, though. Nariko hasn't had a fever since she was a literal child, and unconscious like this, the uncomfortable flush helps morph a bad dream into a nightmare. When she makes a pained noise, Pasha stops eating.]

[he runs his gaze over the notes, just to make sure she hadn't decided to give the little one a different food than the ones out here, or any special instructions.

nope! just a happy, healthy Pokebaby.

happy until Nariko's noises have both youths turning their attention to her. Gladion goes as far as to leave Pasha there for a moment to join Nariko's side]

[Somewhere out there, a very exhausted store clerk earned employee of the month for surviving her trip to their store. The woman in question is less of a panicked, over concerned mess now and is instead lost in the waves of a fever-induced nightmare.

Thankfully, Pasha trusts Gladion to handle the sight of their human trainer crying even in sleep, nails dug so thoroughly into her palm that blood pooled along the creases, if the pokemon saw it the poor baby would just be alarmed.]

[Gladion certainly sees the blood, and is rather alarmed himself. Best to make sure, yes, that Pasha doesn't see. But he struggles to know how to help her-- do you wake someone from a nightmare? Do you let them be?

While he ponders, he runs his hand through her hair gently]

[Even welcome and very much needed touch can be alarming given how rarely Nariko sleeps. She turns into that gentle concern immediately, eyes snapping open with the panic of someone used to horrible surprises. But nearly in the same second, that tension drains and she breathes out, dreamy and tired:]

Nathan?

[Another second, and the lights will all come back on in that head.]

[Gladion's heart lurches, both by the sudden awakening, and her soft utterance of someone else's name. She'll be disappointed, won't she?]

No, it's me. It's Gladion. You want some water?

[Green eyes, not blue! His voice is a little darker, too, but only because despite being the same age as Gladion, Nathan always sounded naturally lighthearted.

And - Well. Fuck.]

I ...

[Why does she feel so much worse now? Maybe it's the complete mortification adding in a little spice.]

... If you don't mind.

[she looks horrified to see him, and Gladion feels a bolt of guilt. But he just gives her a soft smile and pats her hand]

Of course.

[Guilty, miserable silence warps around some attempt to smile, she's still at a loss for words as he moves. Pasha kind of looks up and between them curiously but ... That baby loves to eat, they're fine for a little while longer.

Only when he comes back, does she end up sounding like some scolded toddler:]

I'm sorry. Really.

[he sets the water beside her before he speaks, before those green eyes lock gazes her her. he raises a brow]

You've got absolutely nothing to be sorry about. Not at all.

Pretty sure I made it weird.

[The hand with crescents of blood is free of wounds, they’ve already healed, and she presses the glass to her forehead.]

… It’s not usually this bad.

[he looks at her from beneath his eyelashes]

It wasn't weird.

[a pause]

And you're alone, usually?

Mm.

[She definitely made it weird! What does he think about the crazed idiotic adult having weird fever dreams?! Nothing good!]

Oh, I guess I never really mentioned it, [Slow, grateful sips.] I’ve been on my own for over two years now. I just went home sometimes to check on my brother, or throw an egg at my ex-boyfriend.

[For fun, you know.]

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