victory_road | text || backdated to 8/29

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text || backdated to 8/29

[The message comes in the early morning hours. Probably earlier than anyone should be awake who doesn't have a shift at Starmiebucks or is a raging insomniac.]

[Guess which version the poster of this message is.]

Is it always a week? When people pass out? Go comatose. No one's ever woken up sooner?

[That's it, that's the message. Text, because, if you know him, you know this is how Shiro avoids trying to worry people. It's easier to hide tone, this way. He wouldn't even have asked, but he told Lance he would. He'd rather keep his promise to someone in a small way, than not.]

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[In the background of this call, you can hear the hustle and bustle of Jean and his Pokemon staff getting ready for another shit at FCAB.]

Who passed out?

[Because clearly that's what's bothering Shiro.]

I was out for a month, and I was fine when I woke up. I even grew a beard while I was sleeping.

[Jean thank god it's you.]

Keith yeah - I remember. I was hoping there were shorter time periods

Keith? Oh yeah, he'll be fine.

[Jean has utmost confidence in that. Keith isn't going to let a little week-to-month-long nap slow him down.]

Don't worry about him, he'll just wake up cranky and hungry.

you're telling me not to worry me of all people

[Do you see where this is going, buddy.]

I know you're going to anyway.

[Someone's got your number, Shiro.]

But it'll be fine. He'll be fine. Like I said, just make sure you've got his favorite foods on hand, because he's going to wake up starving. And stinky.

[Yeah... yeah, Jean has him pretty much learned here. He's still quiet a minute. And then locks up the conversation.]

I know you're right. I do. Jean I'm the last time this happened to someone from our world, we lost him

... oh.

[Okay, that sobers Jean up, and the background noise quietens down after the sound of a screen door creaking open. Jean has retreated to the porch for some privacy.]

And you're scared that Keith will go home too?

yeah really scared

[It's Jean. So it's easy to admit that to him. Easy enough to tell Jean of all people what's going through his head.]

Ah, Shiro...

[Jean is deeply touched that Shiro trusts him enough to be so honest, and it shows in his voice.]

I'm sorry. I know it sucks being scared.

yeah i know you know

[They've had enough heart-to-hearts on the subject for him to say that.]

I'm glad you're still here.

You don't have to worry; I'm not going anywhere.

[Or passing out again, he hopes.]

I'm guessing that telling you to try and sleep is going to be a waste of breath, huh?

I know But I think I needed to hear it, regardless.

[You know how it is, buddy.]

what's sleep again?

Shiro!

[Don't make Jean use his own fledgling Dad Voice at you!]

You're not going to be any good to Keith if you're an exhausted wreck when he wakes up!

Do you want me to come watch him for awhile? So you can sleep?

I can't ask you to do that. You've got a lot to handle already.

[Which he is insanely proud of, but that's probably going to sound like a deflection if he says it aloud. Or... types it.]

Haunter will probably handle it at some point.

Really, it's fine. I can take the shop back to the islands and let Robbie run things for a few hours.

[Robbie has been itching for a chance at management, anyway.]

I'll get up early, open the shop and get it going, and then leave it to him after the morning rush. That'll be right around when Matt comes home, and you can go take a nap with him while I watch Keith.

It's not a problem at all.

It's really out of your way. It's all right. I appreciate it though, Jean. I really do. I'm not calling you all the way back here for this.

What's that, Buddy?

[Jean, why are you suddenly yelling?]

What? You say you want to go back to Sevii Four? Whelp, you're the driver!

[Back to Shiro and a normal tone of voice.]

Sorry, Buddy wants to go back to Sevii. He's already driving that way, nothing I can do about it!

jean why are you yelling no you don't please don't do this just for me

Too late, it's already happening!

[Jean sounds way too gleeful about this turn of events.]

We'll be there in a few hours!

Jean.

[He sounds so excited it's hard not to just... let him do it.]

fine all right.

See you soon! And I'm not giving you ANY coffee before you take a nap, so don't even ask.

[Please find enclosed a photo of one (1) Shiro, staring into the camera and downing a mug of coffee the size of his head.]

[A few moments pass without a response. And then Shiro gets a picture of a giant pot of tea brewing, with a conspicuous SLEEPYTIME CHAMOMILE tag facing the camera.]

[A few hours later, Jean parks the train car down the beach and walks up to the house, accompanied, as always when he's on the island, by a swarming herd of Voltorbs. He's carrying a large thermos, and lets himself in.]

Shiro? Where are you?

[You're hilarious, buddy.]

[There's no answer when Jean walks in. But, lo and behold, there's a familiar Brrrt! noise. And a jingling bell. Luna trots down the hall toward him, pawing at his ankles until Jean follows her. Come on come on, this way!]

[If Luna's not enough encouragement, ghostly hands pop out of a wall, pointing the way to where their trainer has been parked for the past few days. Sitting in Keith's room, running on little sleep and nerves. Looking probably as exhausted, if not more so, as he had the day Jean'd met him.]

[He looks up as he hears Luna, and Jean, approach.]

Hey.

[He's hysterical, he knows.]

Hi, Luna.

[A quick pause to scratch Luna's ears, and then Jean follows her down the hallway. When he sees Haunter pointing the way, Jean takes a couple Pokeballs off his belt and releases Spookycheeks and Gastly, so the ghost family can have a reunion, before continuing. They might end up with some eggs from this, but that's okay.]

Hi.

[Jean saunters in and plops down right next to Shiro, shoving the thermos he's carrying into his hands.]

Drink this, or I'm going to get all the Spheals in the house in here and make them hold you down until you fall asleep.

[That is at least four Spheals, Shiro. Four Spheals and a Mimikyu who dresses like one. Can you withstand that much blubbery joy? Jean thinks you can't, so you better drink that chamomile iced tea right now, buddy.]

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