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[The apartment is on the third floor, with windows looking out to Goldenrod City. It isn't the biggest place, but it is far better than the base. The place is small - one bathroom, one bedroom, a kitchen, and a small sitting room that doubles as a dining room - but it hasn't taken long for them to settle in. Mondo had cleaned up the place earlier that day while Ishimaru was out with his "superior officer," Colonel Archer. Mondo still isn't fond of Archer or his friend Kimblee, but he knows better than to say anything around them. Ishimaru seems to like them at least, so they can't be that bad, right?

Well, that doesn't matter now anyway. Mondo had finished up what little work he had for the organization early and had returned home to make sure the house was tidy. He knows how Ishimaru likes things - perfect and organized, with the exception of the closet. He hasn't touched the closet at all; that's Ishimaru's space. But it's getting later in the evening and despite what Ishimaru thinks, Mondo can cook.]

Butch, c'mon. Get down from there. I just dusted!

[It doesn't particularly matter that they had only been in the apartment for a week, Mondo knows better than to leave dust lying around. Ishimaru is probably allergic to it. It seems like he's allergic to everything, including Butch, the Lillipup Mondo had hatched from an egg not too long ago. Butch reminds him a bit of Chuck, but that isn't something Mondo wants to focus on now. He scoops up the puppy and carries him into the living room, letting the dog curl up on the couch almost as soon as he's put down.]

Stay. Got it? Stay. Shit, it's been fucking years since I last tried training a dog.

[But he seems rather pleased anyway. Mondo returns to the kitchen where he sets about preparing dinner. He might have a stupidly adorable Pikachu and Pichu apron on. Just saying.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You know I'll do my best for you!

[Ishimaru is usually reluctant about offering physical contact to others; he likes it when Mondo plays with his hair or touches his shoulders, but for the most part he refrains from establishing much contact on his own. For the time being, however, he's feeling comfortable and a bit more confident on the interpersonal front than usual; after a moment he shifts a bit on the couch, sidling up to Mondo and leaning on him more fully.

It's an affectionate gesture, but not overly so; as with most of Ishimaru's behavior, there's nothing by way of ulterior motives, and he doesn't try to establish anything more intimate than what he's already doing. If Mondo wants him to back off, he will, but for the time being he's relaxed.]

[Mondo has no issues with physical contact whatsoever, and normally, such a gesture wouldn't be considered weird. Back home he wouldn't have found it weird. But here? Well, he's had some time to think about things, and this is really only confirming them, isn't it?

He's much closer to Ishimaru than he is to anyone else, either here or back home. That much is obvious. He thought it was just because of their brotherly bond, but now... he's not so sure.

Several of the other Rocket Grunts had started teasing him about loving his brother a bit too much, but Mondo had never once considered that.

Until now.

Does he like Ishimaru as more than a brother? It would explain a lot of his actions and thoughts, wouldn't it? But that would be weird, right? Ishimaru would probably balk, claiming that fraternization within the organization was to be looked down on... or something. And that was assuming he wouldn't be mad at Mondo for screwing up the relationship.

He's fully aware that he needs to react, but suddenly he's not quite sure what to do. Can he touch Ishimaru? Would that be too forward? Would it be obvious? Fuck, he's not even sure if he does like Ishimaru like that! It could just be a really close brotherly bond, right?

He finally moves to rest a hand on Ishimaru's shoulder, absently squeezing it.]

Yeah. I'll do my best for you too.

[But the pleased tone doesn't quite reach his expression.]

[The discrepancy between Mondo's tone and his expression normally would have gone unnoticed; Ishimaru has never been terribly good at checking for things like that, nor does he really see a need to check - it happens often with Mondo, true, but Ishimaru doesn't always pick things like that up right away. Even if they register as odd at the time, it's usually something that's moved on from too quickly for him to really get a good idea of what's happening, and it's often forgotten before too long.

However, he does notice the hesitation between his own actions and Mondo's reaction to them; he glances up as Mondo squeezes his shoulder a bit, and it's that initial hesitation that serves to let him know that something is...off.]

Is everything all right...?

Ah, yeah, 'course it is! Why wouldn't it be?

[Shit, he's no good at lying and even worse at concealing nervousness. He has plenty to be nervous about, but how would he even begin to explain that to Ishimaru? He can't.]

Just kinda zoned out for a minute, that's all!

[Besides, it's not like he's figured out whether he likes Ishimaru like that or not. He doesn't have anything to be nervous about! He'll figure things out and they can look back on this and laugh it off later. When he's done being stupid and over-thinking this, that is.]

I'm fine.

[He's not even aware that he's repeating himself far too much for it to be considered natural. He's more focused on the internal struggle between wanting to blurt out his (possibly wrong!) feelings and keeping his silence. The latter is obviously the better option - at least until he's sure about this - but he's never been very good at hiding nervousness or agitation.]

[...ah.

Well, that gets him to pull away, at least, though he doesn't exactly go very far; he just breaks most of the contact without moving from his position on the couch itself. He doesn't...disbelieve Mondo, exactly, but at the same time he doesn't really want to continue touching him until he's sure of what's making him so obviously uncomfortable.]

You don't have to be so nervous, aniki, I'm just wondering...

I'm not fucking nervous!! Where'd you get a fucking dumbass idea like that!?

[...That really isn't helping his case any, is it...

Anyway, Mondo can't deny the flash of fear and disappointment that strikes him when Ishimaru pulls away. It's not possible for Ishimaru to have figured him out, right? Even if he hasn't, it's pretty obvious that he isn't interested, isn't it? He's Ishimaru. He'll probably never be interested in anyone.

...But then what about what all the Grunts have been saying? It's not just that he's being "better than any brother should be," Ishimaru's also returning that. But Ishimaru doesn't have siblings, so maybe he thinks that this is how all sibling relationships go?

Shit, he has no idea. If he knew one way or the other he could figure out how to proceed, but he doesn't know. He has to figure his own feelings out first, then maybe it'll become obvious what he needs to do.]

[Ishimaru flinches hard at the sudden shouting, flat-out jerking away from him and taking up his former position at the end of the couch; though one hand is braced firmly against the armrest behind him, the position is mostly defensive as opposed to aggressive, and it's clearly startled him fairly badly.]

Didn't we just say that you could talk to me if something was bothering you?!

[He doesn't mean to shout back, exactly, but jesus, aniki, what the gently caress.]

[Oh fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. He didn't mean to scare Ishimaru, and even though his friend (can he even call him his brother anymore?) is yelling back, Mondo's fully aware of how badly he's startled Ishimaru.

His initial reaction is to yell again, and he almost does it. A soft yipping distracts him momentarily and he glances behind the couch to see Butch cowering in fear. That's all it takes for Mondo's expression to soften, and he returns Butch to his Pokéball.

He doesn't want to scream at Ishimaru. He doesn't want to make him flinch like that or frustrate him. Mondo instead moves to take his dish to the kitchen, tossing it into the dishwasher. He returns and sits back down, hands on his knees and eyes turned away. He's not sure what to say, but he knows he has to start somewhere.]

...Look, I... This isn't something I can really talk about. Not yet. Give me some time to think it over and figure it out for myself and then I'll tell you, alright? Sorry for shouting at you.

[There's a sudden jolt of fear that courses through him as Mondo recalls Butch and then immediately leaves the room, though it dissipates quickly enough when he realizes that Mondo is simply doing something in the kitchen rather than storming out entirely; surely he wouldn't have bothered with the kitchen at all if he was just going to leave, right?

He manages to force himself to calm down well enough to at least sit back against the couch like a relatively normal person; his posture is still entirely too tight, but that isn't exactly anything new, as he goes. He looks over at Mondo again when he rejoins him on the couch, however, his expression curious; he isn't sure why Mondo seems unable to look at him, but he doesn't try to change that any, taking in his words in silence for a moment.

To say that Ishimaru understands what Mondo is talking about would be overstating it, but at the very least he seems able to accept the answer.]

It's okay - I'm not angry or anything, and I won't make you talk about it.

[...]

Can you...answer something for me, though...?

Yeah, of course. What is it?

[At least Ishimaru isn't pressing the point any. Mondo does look at his friend when that question's out there though, head tipped slightly to one side.]

Did I...well, did I do something to offend you, just now?

[It was something that he had intended to ask him in the first place, though as soon as the question was out there it occurred to him just how valid a concern it should probably be - what with Mondo's general fixation on strength and insisting that weakness as a concept was some sort of grave insult...well. It was possible that he had misinterpreted Ishimaru's actions, wasn't it? He's been told by some of the other Rockets that he tends to act overfamiliar toward others, and they seem surprised by his insistence that he isn't gay, when asked - he doesn't know what Mondo's actual thoughts on homosexuality are, but would it be all that surprising if he found that to be weak as well? Most their age seem to think it odd and emasculating - if Mondo thought he had been coming onto him, wouldn't that be insulting him in some way? Maybe that's why he can't discuss it with him just yet; Mondo really does seem to not want to hurt him, so it's possible that he's trying to find some way to let him down gently without fundamentally insulting him, if Mondo really thinks that he's gay...

...oh. Well. Um. That would...explain a lot wouldn't it please tell him that he hasn't offended you holy shit]

What?

[That genuinely hadn't occurred to him, and for a moment, Mondo just stares at Ishimaru, trying to process what he was just asked.]

Did you...? No. Fuck no.

[He comes down a little too hard on the last words and he's fully aware of it. Hopefully Ishimaru won't notice.]

That's not something you have to worry about, aniki. [Should he really be calling Ishimaru that?] And even if you did somehow offend me, I'd tell you about it. I wouldn't just... leave you to fucking wonder about it.

[He's hit with the strangest urge to reach out and take Ishimaru's hand. He crushes that urge immediately but can't shake the thought that comes with it. He really is interested in Ishimaru, isn't he?]

[He tenses as Mondo's tone hardens, coming down hard on those last two words; his fingers tighten against the fabric of his pants where his hands are resting on his thighs, and he looks away, focusing instead on some vague spot in front of him.

The rest of what Mondo is saying seems to provide at least some comfort, however, and he nods at the end of it, though he's still more than a bit tense.]

I...I'm glad, aniki, thank you.

[It takes all of Mondo's willpower not to flinch at that term. He manages to keep his expression under control, however, and after a moment, reaches out to squeeze Ishimaru's shoulder.]

Hey, don't worry so much, alright? You didn't do anything wrong.

[As nice as that touch to his shoulder is, that doesn't stop the look Ishimaru shoots him; he's always been very open with his facial expressions, and the "oh my god you can't be serious" couldn't be any louder if he'd actually said it.]

I don't understand, then. You didn't start acting strangely until I -

[He cuts himself off then; he doesn't want to keep fighting over this, they had just started to calm down some...!]

...ah, but it's all right! We can discuss it later, I don't mind!

[Mondo stiffens at that; Ishimaru knows, doesn't he? He'd have to be stupid not to know. But Ishimaru is quick to move on (probably wanting to avoid another fight) and Mondo is just as quick to agree with him.]

I promise I'll tell you about it when I've figured it all out for myself. It's... kind of a personal thing, that's all. Once I've got my answer, I'll tell you, okay?

[Perhaps he would have to be stupid not to know. However, that's not taking into account that when it comes to things like this? Ishimaru is, in fact, very stupid.]

Whenever you're ready, aniki; I don't mind waiting!

[Well, Ishimaru would be waiting a little while then. Perhaps a week wasn't really a long time to figure out one's feelings for their best friend-slash-brother, but Mondo had always been the sort to decide things quickly and stick to his decisions. The fact that this took him a week instead of maybe a couple of days at the most wasn't lost on him. Obviously he wanted to make sure this went right, or at least, as right as it could go.

His conclusion is probably the most obvious one in the world: he cares about Ishimaru as more than just a brother. That realization brought some relief with it; he's obviously not replacing Daiya and he's finally figured out why Ishimaru means so much to him despite knowing the hall monitor for such a short amount of time.

He's perfectly comfortable with the idea, but explaining this to Ishimaru is going to be a hassle. If he doesn't end up shrieking his love confession at Ishimaru, it'll be a miracle.

Today's another boring day of laundry duty and little else. If he didn't know better, he'd think that someone just didn't want him out fighting. But that's ridiculous; clearly the higher-ups just have something else in store for him. He finishes later than usual - mostly because he was daydreaming and trying to figure out what to say to Ishimaru - and returns home to the apartment. He's not sure if Ishimaru still has work or not.]

[Ishimaru is actually off work when Mondo returns - something that's immediately made plain by the sheer amount of yelling that's going on as soon as Mondo enters the apartment.]

Kyohei!

[...at least the yelling isn't aimed at Mondo.

Regardless, Ishimaru is standing in the living room, hands planted firmly on his hips and looking very annoyed; he's managed to obtain a new Pokémon today - hatched by Kimblee, as Ishimaru cannot hatch things properly to save his life - and it seems he's already done a spectacular job of losing it. Kind of an impressive feat in a four-room apartment, really.

It's difficult being this awesome, okay?

However, after a moment of just standing there and...huffing, pretty much, he releases his Espeon from her Pokéball.]

Sayuri, go find Kyohei and let him know this isn't acceptable -

[...and that's when he seems to notice Mondo. He immediately...well, snaps to attention, really, looking more than slightly embarrassed as he does so; Sayuri just rolls her eyes and skulks off to go find the missing 'mon in question.]

Ah, aniki...! I was just...

[...just...getting very flustered, apparently...]

How was your day?!

So you've picked up a new Pokémon?

[Mondo sounds more amused than anything though.]

No need to yell. My day was okay; same old shit with laundry duty. Maybe eventually they'll have me doing something fucking interesting.

[He's beginning to doubt that, unfortunately...]

So, who's Kyohei? Or rather, what kinda Pokémon is it?

[That seems to be a safer topic of discussion than the one he's been thinking about all day.]

Another psychic-type; Ralts is the name of it, and while the Colonel and Kimblee-san seemed to think we would do well, he doesn't seem to like me very much yet...

[Because clearly, giving one of the most hotblooded trainers in Johto a Pokémon that's extremely sensitive to emotions won't end in huge disaster or anything.]

You're home late, if that's all you were doing, though. Is there anything wrong?

[Mondo nods absently at that. He has no idea what a Ralts is, but it sounds like Ishimaru's having some problems already.]

I'm sure he'll warm up to you! You're a great guy after all!

[Ah, but that question catches him off-guard and Mondo looks momentarily panicked.]

No, there's nothing wrong. I just kept getting distracted, that's all!

[...Right, because that's the best response instead of just telling Ishimaru his feelings like a man. He's so fucking weak.]

[...well, that doesn't look good, does it...]

Distracted by what?

[Shit. The last thing he needs to do is panic. He's got this.]

A lot of fucking stupid thoughts about you, that's what!

[.............he doesn't got this, never mind.]

W-What?!

[LET'S BE REAL HERE, NO ONE'S GOT THIS]

What are you talking about?!

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