victory_road | text, backdated to 5/29

Like... like, like me?

[Connie would be offering stunned internal commentary, but her brain is too busy making dial-up noises. Try again another time?]

Yes! So much. I like you more than anyone in this world. But you said you didn't like me that way, so I didn't kiss you all those times when I really wanted to because I didn't want to be an assaulter.

And I asked Dirk about things because he's a grown-up and your other best friend and I didn't want to distract Carly from Victory Road. And he said we shouldn't give up on each other for people we don't know if we're ever going to see them for a long time, if ever. And also, I shouldn't jump away panicked when I want to kiss you and then can't.

[She's quiet for a long moment.]

Can I come in the tent now?

[The tent opens up, and there's Connie, staring at Akane with wide, sparkling eyes. And she's. Very close.]

I. I really, really like you to. Like all those things she said.

[Isn't Connie supposed to be the wordy one?]

[Akane ducks inside, sitting seiza across from Connie.]

So. Um. I don't know how to be girlfriends or anything. I don't even know how to have a boyfriend, really. Ranma and I weren't... like that. You know?

But. I do like you. A lot.

I do! I do. And if... I'm being honest...

[Connie tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. What is she, a blushing schoolgirl?]

I. Kinda wanted to kiss you. A lot of times. Too.

[Akane gives a nervous little nod.]

You can now. If you want.

R-Really? [Connie squeaks, leaning forward towards Akane. She's... hesitant, so many thoughts and doubts and fears rendering her paralyzed-

Akane, it's up to you now, soldier.]

[WHY ARE YOU MAKING AKANE DO THIS???? Akane has literally never kissed anyone on purpose in her life, at least not in a romantic way.

... eventually she leans her forehead against Connie's?]

Edited 2020-06-03 04:02 (UTC)

[The forehead touch seems to break Connie out of whatever paralysis she was experiencing, and she leans forward to kiss Akane on the lips. Unfortunately for the two of them, a certain Rotom and Porygon-Z have been watching.

And recording.

Oh dear.]

[Oh.

Oh.

It's different, with Connie. Akane isn't sure if this is because there's no tape in the way or if it's because Connie doesn't think she's a cat, but it's different.

It's nice.

Really nice.

After a moment, Akane loops her arms around Connie's neck, wanting to keep her close.]

[Connie has also never kissed a single person in her life before. Not even through any degree of magical separation, she's just never kissed, despite being hypothetically the girlfriend of Steven Universe.

But this is... it's nice. Really nice. Indescribably, amazingly nice. As Akane pulls Connie closer, she does the same to Akane, leaning into the kiss and holding Akane tight.]

[It's just... really good and nice and soft and Akane's almost dizzy with how nice it is. Her heart is beating faster than the Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire Fist. That squirmy feeling at the pit of her stomach from when she watched the video that the kitten lady sent her by accident is back and maybe, just maybe, that's why she ends up flopping down on her side, pulling Connie with her.]

[When Connie was with Steven, it was like reading her favorite book by the heater on a cold winter day. Comforting, but not exciting. Not really.

This, though? This is like a bonfire in the dead of night. Just as comforting and warm, but thrilling and amazing and so many other emotions that Connie just can't-

When Akane pulls her down, she follows without question.

Later (much, much later), when they're both snuggling in the tent, Connie sighs, looking up at the canvas ceiling.]

Akane, I... I really, really like this.

But. Before we go any further. You need to know something about me.

What? [Akane asks studying Connie's face with a worried expression.] Oh no-- your parents didn't engage you to anyone, did they? To Steven Universe?

No. No! Nothing like that. Ugh, even my parents aren't that traditional. [Connie shivers, not even wanting to imagine what that would look like.]

You know how people wake up in that weird woman's house in New Bark Town when they arrive here? [She bites her lip, looking away.] That isn't true for everyone.

I came to in a basement in Goldenrod City, with a note next to my bunk instructing me to put on the Team Rocket uniform next to me and get myself to basic training if I didn't want to be turned in to the police for being an unwitting Rocket agent.

[Akane blinks. Slowly. That's... not what she expected Connie to say.]

That's... but aren't they Pokemon yakuza? [She frowns. Connie was so kind and so good and it just-- doesn't make sense for her to be a yakuza. Not that yakuza didn't have their own sort of twisted honor and it doesn't-- it doesn't sound like Connie joined them on purpose and--]

Can't you quit?

If I do, they'll just tip the police off that I was a "Rocket agent," [Connie makes literal airquotes, sighing,] and I'll get arrested without getting a chance to explain myself.

I've... considered trying to burn the whole organization down, [she admits, hugging her knees.] But so many of my... friends, [it's clear who she means,] are a part of it too and can't get out either, so I'd really just be throwing them to the wolves too and it's just-

I can't leave, Akane. I really wish I could, but... I can't.

I understand if.

You can't handle that.

[Connie looks away, tearing up.]

I just... I figured it would be best to be truthful with you. After everything you've trusted me with.

[Connie will feel a pair of arms wrapping around her and the soft weight of Akane's form against her back, Akane's chins coming to rest upon her shoulder.]

I'm so sorry, [Akane whispers.] I didn't-- I didn't know.

[She's quiet for a long moment, just hugging Connie, listening to their two hearts beat together. Thinking hard.

Akane's not stupid, not at all. She's not always the most observant person and occasionally she leaps to terrible, unwarranted conclusions--but even she can put two and two together.]

Your family, [she whispers.] They're the other people stuck on Team Rocket. Aren't they?

[Carly, she thinks. Doomlord had said as much and Akane already knew Carly was Connie's family. Carly and Dirk. Spinel. And of course Connie's uncle, Tio Steven, and Mr Jack, who she thought was probably also Connie's uncle, even if she didn't call him that. That dumb jerk Steve Palchuk. Was Tyler another one of them? Was Mr Solus? Jolyne?

They were all so nice. Except for stupid, peeping Steve Palchuck--they were all so nice. Carly and Dirk had helped Akane so much with Connie and Spinel was so sweet and funny and Tyler had explained things to her at Prom and Jolyne had sparred with her and Connie's uncles had taken them out to eat, more than once--and she'd even just seen how Tio Steven was helping Connie the way Dirk had helped her.

Even Mr Solus was always polite to her... even when he was saying weird things that didn't make sense.

Maybe they weren't the most... respectable people. Some of them were perverts, even--but they weren't the really bad kind of pervert, the assaulter kind of pervert like Kuno or Kodachi or Grandfather Happosai. They weren't the kind you had to punish. Well, Steve Palchuk was, but even he was just a peeper, not an assaulter. The rest of them were the kind of perverts who weren't hurting anyone.

And maybe... maybe Akane hadn't always understood that, but Carly had made everything so much clearer, had made everything make much more sense, and she does understand that now. They're perverts and they aren't respectable, but they're nice people, good people, and it's so unfair they're all stuck with Team Rocket.

Her world goes blurry and she blinks away tears and--]

They're so nice, [she whispers.] They're so nice and you're all stuck and I'm sorry, Connie, I'm so sorry.

[She draws a shuddery breath.]

I'm so sorry.

[Connie freezes when Akane connects the dots. She did her best to conceal their identities, but... damn it.] Please, you can't tell anyone, even them, I just- I don't want to-

...I don't want them to get hurt.

I don't want you to get hurt.

[She leans into Akane's embrace, finding solace in this small moment.]

I won't, [Akane promises, pressing her face against Connie's neck and giving her a brief, tight squeeze.] I promise I won't. I'll keep your secret, I'll keep all your secrets--just tell me how to help you, okay? I want to help you. You're my-- you're my Connie and they're your family and my friends and--

I want to help you. Even if it's just-- I don't know. Distracting the Jennies for you, so nobody gets caught.

[Connie stares at Akane for a few moments, completely dazzled. All of her fears, all of her anxieties, all of it... wiped away by how wonderful Akane is.

She squeezes Akane back, resting her forehead against Akane's.] I-

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Akane.

[She shakes her head. Keeps her face pressed to Connie's neck.]

No, thank you. I'm so glad I met you, Connie.

text, backdated to 5/29

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no 'them' after 'see' argh

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I'M SO SORRY THIS IS SO LATE AND SHORT

IT'S FINE

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fade out again?