victory_road | Action: So no one told you life was gonna be this way....

Who: Matt Holt, residents of Attack on Voltron House, and OTA anyone else.
Where: Attack on Voltron House, Five Island, and the Observatory
When: Mid to late May
Summary: A space boy goes to work to teach people about spacepokemon, and then goes hope to be stupidly domestic.
Rating: PG (Matt swears more often than not)
Log:

I: Observatory

Ever since prom, Matt has been working on finding out everything he can about both the rifts in the sky and the pokemon who came through them. Unfortunately, it's been a lot more slow going than he'd really like. Most of what he's found can be boiled down to 'they exist'.

That has never stopped Matt before, so he's still digging, still reading everything he can come across.

However, that does not mean he's not going to be out in the evenings with his star lectures, or giving planetarium shows or space travel lectures to anyone who's interested. He does have an observatory to run after all.

II - Domesticity

A boy can't be at work all the time, and when he's not, he can be found on the beach near his house, putting his pokemon through training, either borrowing a very bored Kuro, or fishing up some poor Magikarp or other fish for his team to attack. His little brood is growing, and he seems proud of even the smaller ones.

When they're not training, Matt's helping clean the house, do laundry, or other various benign tasks that need to be done. It's not glamorous, but it is life.

If someone comes over, he'll offer them some Lemonade, or a Soda Pop and some conversation.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"So... remind me again. Why can't we just use the liquid dish soap in the dishwasher?"

Because, Shiro, it makes a horrific mess. But no one ever told him that. So, of course, he's going to ask one of the few people he doesn't mind embarrassing himself in front of. Matt's seen way worse by now, after all.

It helps that they have a task to work on while he questions it, though. Like hanging up laundry. Which is so... incredibly normal that it's easy to forget everything he's trying not to think about. Or it would be, if it weren't for the massive Incineroar also helping them out. And, you know, the heavier dark circles under his eyes lately.

"It's a different chemical compound, Shiro." Matt rolls his eyes fondly. "It's a lighter formula that's generally softer on people's hands so they don't get nasty cracks in them. The liquid stuff that we get for the dishwasher is formulated for a harsher environment." He leans back, thinking while he eyes a glass that he's putting away. "You wouldn't put car gas in a rocket, right? Same theory."

Matt Holt, one of nature's teachers.

"But it's just... soap."

Rocket engines versus cars makes more sense. Different grade fuels, different functions. But soap is just that -- soap. You could use it in your hair and not have anything go wrong, right?

... right? Someone stop him from testing this theory.

"I believe you. But -- really. It seems a little overkill to have different things for the same basic function."

Matt facepalms, thankfully after putting the glass down. "Not really. There are plenty of things with different compositions that have the same function. Don't kid yourself, mister, I know you have both shampoo and body wash in the shower." Mostly because he uses it as well, but that's beside the point.

"Soap, really, is very little different than fuel."

"That's because I hate Jean's Axew body wash."

Among other things. But okay, he sort of feels bad for how much grief he's clearly putting his boyfriend through. Even if it's not entirely serious.

So once he's sure Matt's put down anything breakable, he steps behind him to thread his arms around him. Leaning his head on his shoulder.

"Thank you, by the way. For trying to educate me. I'll... figure this stuff out eventually."

"It's alright, Shiro." Matt settles into his arms, sighing happily. "Mom made sure that we knew these things. She always said that we couldn't be effective astronauts unless we were effective human beings."

There's a tiny hint of wistfulness in his voice.

"Maybe I was at the Garrison too long. Got... too used to dropping laundry in a chute or dishes in a tray."

Matt's not the only one sounding a little wistful there. After talking with Keith he's... aware it wasn't the best place -- even if he hadn't gone through the whole "science project" thing.

"I'm still grateful." He tightens his arms briefly. "I feel like I haven't asked, lately, though. How're you doing?"

"Oh, man. It was hilarious after Dad would get home from a long mission. He'd forget little things like how the washing machine worked, or that he couldn't just let go of something, and have it float there. Mom got so mad that she made him use only plastic for about three weeks after he got back from space each time."

"It's part of being together. I want to do what I can." Matt shrugs, sighing a bit. "I'm fine. The observatory's going well, and I'm learning things." He misses home, though, and especially misses space.

"I remember that. He gave a lecture once, and kept dropping his laser pointer."

It had been an entire hour of a bunch of people trying their best not to laugh at Commander Holt. Himself included. A fond memory, really. Of how things used to be.

"That goes both ways, you know..." He probably doesn't need to say it, but he does anyway. Slotting his chin into the curve of Matt's neck. "Learning anything good? Useful?"

Casual conversation. It... feels pretty good actually.

"He probably was trying not to laugh himself. That's just Dad. He's always the first to laugh at himself."

Matt takes a long breath and nods. "I know, Shiro. Thanks." He shrugs, just leaning back against him. "Dunno about useful, but there's a lot of interesting stuff out there. It's... just really good to be studying again. I'd missed it more than I realized."

"Yeah. Thinking about it now... you're probably right."

It means a lot. Just to be able to hold onto him like this. Stand in a house on a beach. To be normal and together. Like something they should have had all along. "I'm really glad to hear that. To see you doing it..."

His voice lowers, to something more private between them. "I'm going to read about you in the news here, someday. You make some huge discovery. Get the people here onto the moon."

"Or, really, just discover the 'orbit' or 'launch' HM that will allow a pokemon to take its trainer into space." Matt grins, eyes sparkling a bit. "Well, after one history-making mission, what's another in an alternate universe?"

He pauses, sighing. "You're coming with me, you know. I don't want to go to space without you."

"Hey, either way. If anyone's going to, it's probably you." Like how if anyone's going to make a giant water pokemon breakthrough, it's going to be Armin. He can't help but smile, too. "Maybe it'll be easier, this time around."

And his eyes close for a moment, grip tightening. "You won't. I..." I have to know where those monsters came from - I have to keep you safe

"I don't think space would be the same on your own, right?"

"If there's one thing in this messed-up multiverse that I know, it's space." Matt sighs, reaching up to hang onto Shiro's arms. "No, it wouldn't be. I want to share everything with my best friend."

He yawns, huge and long, and closes his eyes for a moment. "Come take a nap with me? I think we're both tired as hell."

"That makes two of us. Jean and Armin just eat up anything I can tell them -- they're desperate for details." His weight shifts, barely. But enough to support Matt a little better. "You'd even share being the first man on this moon?"

He's teasing. Because he would, too. He'd share that.

"... sure thing." Shiro doesn't really want to agree. He knows he's not going to sleep. He knows he's just going to lay there. But-- "Should I carry you? Your Genius-ness?"

"Yes, I would, especially if it's with you." He knows that you and Sam conspired to let him be the first human on Kerberos, Shiro. He knows your sneaky ways.

Taking a breath, he blushes furiously. "I can walk, you nerd. Just... come and hold me while we sleep, ok?"

"You're on, then." He'd like it if they could, honestly. Make a good memory out there -- something that doesn't immediately get overrun with bright lights and danger. "Guess that means you're going to put more hours in at the observatory?"

He inclines his head, smiling a little more. "You got it." As his hands slip from Matt's waist to thread fingers through his. "Want... me to lock the door?"

So no Arons or Blue barge in on Matt's nap, of course.

Action: So no one told you life was gonna be this way....

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