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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.]

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[Ishimaru doesn't move to interrupt through any of that, though he is giving quite the wide-eyed stare by the time Mondo gets to the point; he...thinks he can see where it's going once he really gets started, but he doesn't believe it until Mondo confirms it, actually confirms it, and for a good moment he isn't sure what to do. There are many reasons for his hesitation, not least of which being the fact that he doesn't know how he feels about this sort of thing himself - but first and foremost, he's never seen Mondo this unsure and openly nervous about something, not quite like this. It troubles him deeply, and he's equally troubled by the fact that he doesn't know what he should do in response, what the proper course of action should be; after a moment, he simply moves on impulse, doing the first thing that comes to mind.

He shifts closer to Mondo on the couch, placing an arm around his shoulders in a manner that practically screams that he has no idea what he's doing, before finally pulling Mondo into what amounts to the most awkward hug on the planet.]

First of all, you aren't losing anything. I don't want to hear you talking to me like that again, all right? I promise you that you aren't losing anything.

[Well, as awkward as that hug might be, it's something Mondo wasn't aware he needed this badly. He moves to wrap his arms around Ishimaru in return. He briefly wonders if this is okay after what he just said, but he can't get himself to let go.

And then Ishimaru's talking and the sense of relief that floods him is so overwhelming he almost tears up.]

Th-thanks. I... thanks.

[The sense of relief is audible, but he can't really say he cares.]

I don't know what I'd do if I lost you.

[Well, it seems that having that hug returned is enough to encourage Ishimaru a bit on the physical affection front; he shifts his grip a bit, his hands finding purchase on Mondo's back and pulling him closer, tightening the embrace firmly.]

You won't. You won't ever lose me. I like knowing that you can trust me with how you feel, and you've made me...very happy...

[...]

I'm very glad you told me!

[And there's really only one reason for that, isn't there? It may not be something he's considered before but it's something that just feels right.

...look he's just going to pull you tighter again and kind of yell muffledly into your shoulder because that is clearly how we handle these things]

I...I love you very much and you're never going to lose me, I promise!

[Without even thinking about it, Mondo reaches up to play with Ishimaru's hair. The tightening grip doesn't bother him any, in fact it gets him to hug Ishimaru tighter as well.

Then suddenly Ishimaru is yelling into his shoulder and Mondo's not sure what happened, but he's beginning to suspect that this is a dream. There's no way he could be this lucky.]

I... You do? You mean it?

[That's possibly the stupidest question he could ask. Of course Ishimaru means it. He wouldn't say it if he didn't mean it.]

Shit.

[But he says it in a manner that's somewhere between surprised and very pleased. Sort of like saying "wow" but this is more hardcore.]

You'll never lose me either, you got that? No matter what happens I'll always be here for you! I love you way too fucking much to ever let anything come between us, you got that!?

[At least this is passionate yelling instead of flustered yelling? Mondo is perfectly content to just grin stupidly for the time being, marveling at just how well this is going.]

[...we are the manliest and the most hardcore, Mondo, clearly this is obvious from all the impassioned screaming we are doing right now.

...may god have mercy on the neighbors, and Sayuri and Kyohei are never coming out from the under the bed again.]

I...I understand, and you know I'm willing to return that!

[...shit

shit there are tears we have tears

he's not upset but tears everywhere anyway]

Ah, hey, c'mon, there's no need to cry!

[That will just get all the affectionate hair-playing, alright.]

I'm so fucking glad things are working out. I mean, fuck, I was really worried that this would make everything really awkward.

[Well, that just serves to make him kind of awkwardly bury his face in Mondo's jacket; he's...probably going to need to get this thing cleaned by the end of it.]

You...you know I can't help it...

[He takes a moment to try to at least get his breathing under control before he continues, though; that hair-playing is definitely helping, though when he continues it sounds...well, really awkward, but at least it's not in the way Mondo was afraid it would be. More of a general sense of orz rather than anything aimed at the situation specifically.]

Even if things hadn't worked out in exactly this way, I would still want to be close to you - you're too important to me to do otherwise. It wouldn't have been right.

[Yes, he knows Ishimaru can't help it and for some reason that just gets him to hug Ishimaru tighter. Mondo is very pleased to hear Ishimaru's thoughts on the subject, and he keeps playing with his hair, still grinning stupidly.]

Yeah, I guess I was just getting worked up over nothing. I mean, fuck, if it was you confessing and I didn't return it, yeah I'd still want to be close to you. It wouldn't change anything; you'd still be one of the most important people in my life.

[...for fuck's sake, Mondo, he had the tears under control and now...well, look what you did]

I...

[...ugh, just. Let him go back to clinging; something about what was just said is hitting him strangely and he's having a hard time controlling himself.]

...you...you have no idea how much that...means to me...

[Oh fuck, that was supposed to stop the tears, not start them all over again!]

Yeah? I thought you knew that already!

[But his tone implies that he's just teasing!]

You'll always be really important to me, no matter what.

[You underestimated his sensitivity...]

W-Well, yes, but...being called one of the most important people in your life...!!

[...you really underestimated his sensitivity...]

It's...it's an honor...and I'll do what I can to be worthy of it, I...

[...have no more words for this, clearly.]

Hey, don't be ridiculous! You're already doing everything to be worthy of it! You're my best friend.

[...And former brother, but that's just horribly awkward now, so he won't mention it.]

I don't really have anyone else I'm close to, either here or back home. Sure, I've got the Crazy Diamonds, but it's not the same. I'm a leader to them, not a friend, y'know? With you I don't have to worry about any of that shit. It's kind of a relief, actually!

[If there's anyone he could be weak in front of, it's Ishimaru. Not that he will ever allow himself a moment of weakness, but the thought is kind of nice.]

LOCKED TO ardent

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