victory_road | video;

-- 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.

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But it must have cost a fortune. And you already do so much for us.

[Who is it that they turn to when they need an understanding, listening ear?]

Not really. I think I got a deal on it.

But -- Armin. [Some of that elation slips off his face, replaced with sincerity.] The only reason I can do this is because you guys brought me here to start with.

[Can't deny that.]

S-still, you've already repaid us plenty. At least, that is how it had always felt to me.

[After all, they hadn't done anything, Shiro wouldn't have done for them. And Shiro had helped them plenty since.]

I’m going to tell you the same thing I just told Lance.

This way, you guys can focus on what you all want to do. You can really make your spaces your own. And not have to worry about landlord rules.

But what about you? Isn't there something you want to focus on?

I don't mean to imply that I am ungrateful for your support. I am really thankful. But I don't think it would be right for you to focus all your time on us and nothing on what you want to achieve.

[He really really values Shiro's support. He just doesn't want it at the cost of Shiro focusing a bit on himself as well.]

This was what I wanted. I wanted to do this. To give you guys somewhere to fall back on, whenever you needed it.

Look, I already got to go farther into space than any human before. I have someone who cares about me... my teammates are mostly safe. They're getting a chance to have a second life -- a chance at normal. Being kids, making friends.

That's all I need for now.

[He can figure out the rest as he goes along. Figure out how to put his own life more back together, later. More badges, more healing. But... later. Not now.]

Edited 2018-08-05 00:22 (UTC)

If you are sure.

[If that is what Shiro really really wants, Armin is not going to argue! He just... wants to make sure Shiro isn't putting himself in last place. Again.]

Wait, I'm coming downstairs.

[It doesn't take Armin long to appear on the porch, and if the two years here have been good to Shiro, they have been as good to Armin. Sure, he didn't look as tired and stressed out as Shiro had, but still, two years of good food and minimal trauma have not gone without influence. With his capris and Cerulean City Aquarium t-shirt, he looks like any other teenager here, like he wasn't a child soldier or forced to fight for his survival.]

[There he is. Sitting in the sand with Hunk's Aron in his lap, except now the Aron is wearing the hard hat. Shiro's got one of his awful Alola shirts on, and is busy dangling a bit of scrap metal for KJ.]

[Looking up when he sees Armin. Beaming at him. He... really does look good. He looks happy. Looks rested, safe. That's all he wanted for them. Everything he wanted for them.]

Hey!

[Armin is just going to make his way over and sit down on the sand next to Shiro.]

How long have you been planning this? You completely surprised me.

About since summer started. I... ended up having a lot more put away than I thought I did.

And the landlady cut me a deal on the whole thing.

[So he ended up getting the whole place for super cheap. Plus, Kazuki gave him a leg to stand on, negotiation wise.]

[He did pretty much live on trail mix that whole first year.]

She did? That was kind of her.

[Despite the constant petnames, Armin does like their landlady. Though, he guesses she isn't their landlady anymore. Shiro is now.]

[Trail mix and protein bars.]

She did. I'm not totally sure why, but she did.

[... it didn't occur to him he'd gone over there in shorts and a tank-top.]

[At least he always got enough fiber.]

I'm sure she had some sort of reason for it. [A thoughtful look.] Maybe she just really liked having us as tenants.

[Especially when Haunter made him faceplant into the grass.]

She must have. She did say we were the best she'd had. But then she was doing the nickname thing ...

[And he may have... tuned out.]

[Armin shakes his head a bit, before looking at the house with a smile.]

It's a little hard to believe it's yours now. I know we've been living here for almost a year, but it's a little different now.

Edited 2018-08-06 16:56 (UTC)

It's ours. It's in everyone's name. I made sure there was a way to do that.

[So everyone would be taken care of. So no one would have to worry about it, if one of them...]

[If they ended up with some extra space.]

[Though the actual words go unsaid, Armin knows exactly why Shiro made sure the house is in everybody's name. it's so like Shiro to want to take care of them still, even if he might not be here anymore.]

Shiro.

[He's a little stiff and awkward as he moves. Partially because he has to lean over the little Aron in his lap, mainly because he is not the most physically affectionate guy. Or, at the very least, not the person who generally initiates. This time he does though. And the hug, while awkward and a little stiff, is genuine.]

Thank you.

[He looks over at Armin, with something tired, maybe a little sad, in his face. Maybe their time here is finite. Maybe none of them get a say in what happens...]

[But he can keep this place safe. For the rest of them.]

Yeah.

[Yeah, he knows.]

[And yet, he's unprepared for the hug. Probably because it's coming from Armin, because out of everyone, this is who he least expected. Even so, he isn't turning him down. Not even remotely. He just loops his arms around him, in return.]

You got it. You're welcome.

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