Video; also action for the Sevii Observatory

[tookashirototheknee]

[There isn't much audio to this one at the moment. The Gear is showing one of the Observatory's tallest telescopes, where, at the very very top, a Sobble shaking and crying. Climbing up the telescope very carefully is Matt, trying to get the poor 'mon down.]

Come on, little guy. It's alright. I'm going to help you down. Stars only know how you got up here in the first place....

[Behind the Gear there's some snickering going on. A lot of snickering. Yukishiro and Venus are enjoying their trainer's mishaps.


Sevii Observatory:

[Matt has set up a few tables inside the observatory proper where he's brought out some colored pencils, crayons, and blank paper. There's a sign on the table:

What do you think extraterrestrial Pokemon look like?

Behind the table, there's a wall where a bunch of drawings are posted, along with some actual photos of Minior, Solrock, Lunatone, and other non-terrestrial 'mons.

In some quieter moments, Matt's at a table, sitting in a chair for someone about half his size, and drawing what looks like pastel fuzzballs, with Halley floating over his shoulder.

Comments

text;

[shiro2hero]

Everything going okay up there?

[You look like you're having a time, Matt.]

Do you want some help?

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[tookashirototheknee]

[It's a shame that Glaceon and Vulpix don't have opposable thumbs. However, after a few moments go by, Matt does respond.]

Oh... yeah, I'm fine now. I only fell a bit.]

[... Matt.....]

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[shiro2hero]

You FELL?

Are you okay??

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[tookashirototheknee]

Only a bit.

And I'm fine. Honestly. My knee's acting up, but that's not news.

These new guys are... so sweet.

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[shiro2hero]

”a bit”

I’m coming out there hold on



what color did you find

[tookashirototheknee]

I've had a number of them wandering through, but this little blue guy seems to like my office.

He cries a lot, though.

[shiro2hero]

I found the white one -- fire type I guess?

I'm almost there. Are you on the roof or in your office now?

[tookashirototheknee]

In the office.

Yukishiro's a really good ice pack. She's sitting on my knee.

[shiro2hero]

[Matt this is why he worries about you...]

Just a second.

[He's probably a familiar enough sight at the observatory by now to where no one stops him from just walking into the offices.]

[And knocking, before he barges in.]

Hey -- are you okay?

[tookashirototheknee]

[By now, everyone knows Professor Matt's boyfriend. Whenever he shows up, he gets cheerful waves, and the trainers on patrol around the lab area cheerfully buzz him in to the usually private areas.

When he gets in, he'll find Matt at his desk, working on some paperwork, Mimi and the little crying frog on the floor looking at each other, and Matt's leg up on a second chair with Yukishiro sitting on it, preening herself.]

I'm just fine, love. I promise.

[shiro2hero]

[Look, with the recent losses, he's a little more ... protective than usual. Why he's barging in and hovering. Uncertain of how he can even help.]

[He settles on stepping up to the chair and gripping Matt's shoulder gently.]

You sure? Didn't hurt anything?

[He glances toward the pokemon on the floor.] You got him down okay?

[tookashirototheknee]

Nothing that wasn't hurt already.

[He shrugs, but smiles, leaning into Shiro's touch.]

Yeah, he's fine. I think he's bonding with Mimi. They've both got the shy thing going on.

[shiro2hero]

That's... not as reassuring as you might think.

[At least, for him. He's trying very hard not to stare at Matt's leg. Not to focus on what's there, or worry over it too much -- since clearly, Matt isn't too concerned.]

Can I help?

[With anything. Anything at all. He has to ask. It's like breathing, at this point.]

I'm glad you got him down all right. They're all... a little shaken up, I think. The one who followed me won't leave Kuro and Yellow.

[tookashirototheknee]

Well, if you want, you can stay here and keep me company. I might need some help home. Knee's jimmied up pretty bad.

[And really, for once, Matt might indulge Shiro's need to fuss over him.]

[shiro2hero]

Yeah, I can do that. Absolutely.

[It’s an immediate response. Maybe more than it should be. He knows Matt isn’t incapable, isn’t fragile or something like that. But ... he wants to, needs to, look out for him. For someone who means the world.{

[Someone who went right.]

I’ll carry you, if it comes to that. [But for now, he’ll sit on the edge of the desk. Still dutifully watching the Pokémon.] Did you ever go get a look at that crash site? The one these guys came from?

[tookashirototheknee]

Thanks, love.

[Sometimes he does like to let Shiro take care of him. It's part indulgence to be waited on by Shiro, and part knowing that it's part of Shiro to fuss at people.]

I didn't, and I feel like an idiot for not going. Me and my alien obsession.

[He smiles, a bit wryly, shaking his head.]

Sometimes I think I'm a bad alien nerd.

[shiro2hero]

[Even when he's feeling like this, feeling anxious and concerned, there's something in that little term of endearment that makes him feel warmer. Like the ice in his limbs is melting.]

Any time.

[One hand idly brushes back some of his boyfriend's hair.]

I didn't end up checking it out either. I got distracted. We can be bad nerds together. At least, about this.

[tookashirototheknee]

I don't mind being a bad nerd if you're a bad nerd with me.

[Venus lets out a little sound that might or might not be a giggle, and Yuki just smiles slightly.]

Have I mentioned lately how damn lucky I am to have you?

[shiro2hero]

Maybe we can analyze any of the pieces they recover. Later on.

[He should have taken a look. But at the same time, his head hadn't been in remotely the right place.]

[A weak laugh.]

Because I showed up fifteen minutes late to save you from a tower?

[tookashirototheknee]

No, because you're here. And you're amazing, and you love me in spite of the fact that I'm an idiot.

[Matt leans over and puts a hand on his arm.]

And you're nerdy as hell, which is... pretty much perfect.

[shiro2hero]

Come on, no idiots here. Just the genius running the observatory, and the big nerd who cares about him.

[It’s okay to be forgetful in his book. More than okay. He still loves him. Hard not to.]

Did I tell you? I might be heading out to Kanto soon. There’s a whole other bunch of gyms. Places I’ve never been to before.

Thinking about another adventure.

[... even though the last couple ended badly.]

[tookashirototheknee]

Definitely not a genius. Just... me. And don't you dare sell yourself short. You're just as smart as I am.

[Matt glances around the office for a moment and takes a breath.]

Maybe I should just...leave this to someone else and go with you. I... I feel like I've been a terrible workaholic boyfriend lately.

[shiro2hero]

Okay, okay. As you wish.

[He's laughing a little. But not unkindly. Only to turn more somber a few moments later.]

You haven't. Not even remotely. But... I won't say no, if that's what you want to do.

[tookashirototheknee]

Oh, don't you dare. I'm no Princess Buttercup, thank you very much. Although, you would make a fantastic pirate.

[He smirks, but turns more serious, taking a breath.]

I might. We'll see.

[shiro2hero]

Well, there's my next costume, if this year turns out as mild as last time.

[The seriousness has him leaving that joke, though, going back to studying his boyfriend.]

... You know I'm going to be behind you, no matter what you decide. If you want to stay here, I -- I'll come back.

I will come back.