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-- okay. We're ready. Step back.

[That's Shiro's voice, from a black screen. A purplish-black screen. Which abruptly turns to a real video recording as Haunter the Gengar hops backward. Back to a pile of Pokemon -- namely, all of Shiro's main roster. Plus Luna the Meowth. And a new Aron, perched up on Kuro's big Aggron head.]

[Shiro himself is in the middle of this group, all of them settled on the sand in front of the Sevii Island house like it's a football team photo. He's wearing a plastic hard-hat, of all things. Like the kind little kids wear in costumes.]

[He's also beaming.]

So... we're a few days early. More than a few. But I couldn't hold it in anymore. None of us could. One way or another, the secret was going to come out.

Here it is.

In a few days, I'll have been here two years. There's... been a lot of things to get used to. A lot of hurdles and setbacks, but -- we're still here. And I'm pretty sure this place behind us has a lot to do with that.

That's why... you're looking at a guy who just bought a house.

[And that's when the Pokemon, on what looks like Haunter's signal, gesture to the house behind them. Even Shiro busts out a little ta-daaaa motion.]

Got it all worked out. No matter what happens, no matter who comes or goes, as long as someone lives in this house, they won't have to worry about a place to stay. And, no matter how many familiar faces show up, we can always add more space. Without worrying about if we have room for someone important to us.

[There's a pause, as the new Aron -- it's Hunk's KJ -- to roll into his new trainer's lap. And roll over for some chin scratches.]

It's meant a lot to me. It's done a lot for me. This house, and everyone in it.

And now, this place will be here, for anyone and everyone, in this weird team of ours. Consider it a thank you.

For all of you -- who know who you are.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[There's a split second of shock before... well.]

[Before Shiro just straight up bursts out laughing.]

It's back in your room now, buddy. But, yeah. You caught me.

Dude, you could have used it for toilet paper! I even said so in the note!

[Contrary to Lance's volume, he's actually touched. He knew Shiro looked rested and just generally better than he did back home, but to buy the house they've all been shacking up in not just for himself and Matt, but for all of the teen strays? Lance hasn't figured out the words for his gratefulness. He might not have found where he fits in with life, but he at least has a home.]

How much is the mortgage?

[Lance, you just don't ask people how much their mortgage is just because you want to help make the payments. That's rude.]

It did? Luna kind of... shredded it.

[The note, not the cash. The cash is safely on Lance's dresser. Luna, however, chirps from her perch on Red the Incineroar's shoulder, looking pleased with herself.]

Nuh-uh. I'm not saying.

[So there.]

Lunaaaaaaaa. Bad kitty. No tuna for you!

[Notice how Lance's voice has softened just to "scold" the cat? Not even giant dummies can yell at a cutie like that.

And if Lance was brighter, he would have realized that Shiro knew it was him who left the money because he read the pre-shredded note. Congrats, Shiro. Your avoidance of the truth actually worked.]

I'll just go and ask Matt then.

Hey, don’t punish her. She was helping keep the surprise.

[The Meowth chirps from somewhere off camera. Clearly agreeing with her trainer.]

He won’t tell you either.

Look at it this way. Now you can save your money for painting your room. Or adding a private bathroom.

He'll tell Pidge, though.

[Like Lance can convince Pidge to shake her brother down for such info. Pfft.]

Wait, what?

[He's really liking the sound of a private bathroom. Run that by him again, Shiro.]

Bold of you to assume Pidge would ask.

[Your move, Lance.]

We own this. We can make it into whatever we want to. Which includes adding to it. You could add your own private bathroom.

No tentacles involved.

She will if I ask her to. We're best buds.

[Poor thing. He's delusional.]

What's the catch? No heated floors? No jacuzzi? Only one sink?

Uh huh. Sure she will.

[He's in too good a mood to really burst Lance's bubble.]

The catch is, you have to pay for the renovations yourself.

AW COME ON!

[He knew it. He knew there was a catch that would be an uphill battle.

Lance groans and scrubs his hand over his face, a very Shiro-like move.]

Do you know how much that stuff costs? How am I supposed to pay for it?

[Sorry Lance. He just grins, spreading his hands a little sheepishly.]

You don't have to pay rent anymore. For starters.

[Lance frowns and begins puffing up in that way only a Lance can.]

So that's the real catch! You're trying to stop me from giving you rent money! Well it sucks to be you, bro. I'm gonna work overtime to get my own bathroom and give you money for the house!

[Let the kid help, Shiro. Let him feel useful.]

Lance... that's not -- the whole point of this was so you don't have to do that.

So you can use your money for what you want. Without worrying about this place.

[DID NO ONE LISTEN TO HIS SPEECH.]

[Oh, they did. They just promptly decided to ignore it.]

I want to, man! Why are you being so difficult at me helping out? If you were my mom, I'd still give you money.

[And you are his space dad, so same treatment.]

Just because you bought the house doesn't mean you don't have to pay a mortgage, right? Put it towards that.

Lance, I don't know if you noticed, but I'm not your mother.

[Isn't he hilarious.]

It's not that I don't want you to help. All I want is you guys to have the freedom to use your earnings however you want to. So you're not tied down to worrying about a house, or a rent.

Of course. For starters, your boobs are way smaller than hers.

[Lance can be hilarious too.]

I'm not worried. Are you worried? Pidge isn't worried. Pretty sure Keith isn't either. I don't know the other three that hang out around here all that well, but I'll guess and say they aren't worried either.

If we have the freedom to use our money how we want, maybe, just maybe, some of us want to use it by helping you out.

Gee thanks.

[You’re such a card, Lance.]

Look, on some level... I know. I know you’re right.

But let me do this for you guys. For a little while, please? Couple months. Something like that. It ... means a lot to me.

Shiro... you always do so much for us. More than you'll ever know.

[And maybe especially for Lance, someone who feels like he doesn't exactly deserve to be around the greatness that is Shiro. Just saying thank you isn't enough. Maybe giving Shiro money isn't enough either, but Lance just wants to feel useful in this house full of incredibly intelligent and talented people not named Lance the Lame.]

If I hold you to that couple months, do we have a deal that you'll let me give you something?

So everyone keeps telling me. Think it's going to sink in any time soon?

[He sort of hopes so. It's not that he thinks Lance is lying, or telling him something false, but -- for some reason, it doesn't sink in as much as it probably should.]

... All right. Couple months, then I'll let you do it.

I was kinda hoping it would.

[Lance laughs because damn if Shiro isn't as stubborn as he is. But he gets it. Just because someone says something nice and truthful doesn't always mean it hits home.]

A couple months. I swear if you argue with me then, I'm socking you in the gut.

[Like Lance's little fist would actually have any effect on that dorito bod of Shiro's.]

One day. Just wait -- it'll hit so hard I have to sit down.

[And... honestly, it's kind of good just to hear him laugh. So. He manages a grin.]

Please don't. That's sensitive.

[How do you even say that with a straight face, you ass.]

What? The great Takashi Shirogane can't take a punch to the stomach? Don't tell me this sweet island life made you soft.

[There's no way it had. Lance saw those abs in the bathroom, good sir.]

...

Matt did say I should... work out more.

[Is he teasing. We just don't know.]

Well if Matt said so, then it's so. He's the one who's gotta look at you all day.

If you start now, you won't hurt as bad in two months.

Wait -- you really think so?

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