𝗖𝗥𝗨𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗝𝗢𝗞𝗘.

❝  is this not the place many would want to retire ?   ❞          not that it had been too long since he had stepped down from the elite four back in unova, grimsley has not even been in alola for an extended amount of time like some folk looking to lead a more peaceful life.  ah, but leave it to him to never feel stable even if this is supposed to be like a long-winded vacation after years of excitement, years of wins,  &  years of losses.  vying for a place on the leaderboard as one of the region's best mantine surfers, a bit of a gamble riding both the waves  &  going after prizes.  it is enjoyable, but old habits die hard.

i think it's kinda indirectly said in my rules. but on dash / dash commentary interactions do not typically have any bearing on threads. not unless you ask me can the thread be based on dash stuff. y'know? because it's a whole lot easier for me to go based off established canon or canon events to help drive development between muses, no matter the type of dynamic no matter the muse. dash stuff gets limiting in a certain regard and to a certain extent

if it's say nine for example that i'm using. this guy has no actual context in the tbhx series aside from being on that investigation board and then the x ver opening but i've been able to pin point a nice spot for him in the timeline based on the show's documented one

THE WHAT-IFS HAUNT HIS DREAMS &. EVERY WAKING MOMENT, the traitorous recollection of the hasty bucks of hips, the almost-kiss, the yearning in nine's eyes that suddenly put everything in perspective.

of course, █████ felt guilty knowing that he had inadvertently taken advantage of nine in that moment, but the fact that the rebel hero, the man who did things on his own terms, did nothing to quell the flames of passion, push █████ off, but instead reciprocated the action, solidified those lingering suspicions that once seemed too good to be true.

he goes home in a bit of a daze, the buzz of coital afterglow still bubbling in his veins, half-remembering to send nine a text: got home safe. hope you got home safe too, before throwing his stuff aside to step into the shower.

HIS HEART IS PRACTICALLY ABOUT TO LEAP OUT OF HIS CHEST !   the pressure suddenly on, not because he's amassed an audience.  nah, nine has always thrived off the attention even if he says he doesn't need it.  the whole point of his outfit is to be flashy, even his own creation ability reflects his creativity, meant to be put on some sort of display, be it in a museum, on a wall in a humble house built by his own two hands, or perhaps knocking a villain upside the head with a loud CRUNCH.  

a satisfying sound !  proof that even with the iridescent rainbows making his tools  &  shapes look rather cute dashing around the sky, they pack a punch just like the real thing.  &  this fight right here ?  pure art.

he did his best not to give into the urge of looking over his shoulder, focusing on dispatching the foe  &  ensuring that he would see their demise, even if temporary to the end while he was around.  it's enough to bolster his trust value  &  show off for the guy he likes, or so he hopes that  █████ would stay  &  watch.  not because nine is totally full of himself or anything like that.  oh no, his abilities  &  powers aren't even as cool compared to his friends.  no, why would he even compare himself like that ?

 &  in no time comes the impromptu ceremony, one he had never asked for.  his whole foundation was built on the idea that he was doing this because he wanted to.  not for the fame, not for the attention.  it feels nice  &  he won't hesitate to flash the people around him a bright smile  &  shoot some winks, but this was the direct result of temporary satisfaction, eager for a few seconds to receive such a reception.

but oh, does his amiable, happy-go-lucky facade drop when he spots █████ once again.  his features soften into a small curve, eyes losing the sharp keen look from before, instead dilated like a house cat that's found exactly what they've been looking to pounce on.

the rebellious hero's feet takes him forward without thinking, the crowd that's gathered parting as he forces a path through.  no longer touching the ground, he floats, increases his speed.  &  without warning his arms outstretch to scoop the taller, much leaner  &  lankier man into his arms.  the sort of thing you'd see in a corny superhero movie scene, but it's not meant to be shared with those still on the ground.

❝  hey ~  hold on to your bag tight.  ❞          thankfully nine has mastered flight, rising higher into the sky before he dashes away, poor █████ left with little leverage to cling onto both nine's body  &  his bag.  it would be wise for the rebel to keep his head up, eyes searching for a location to make a stop rather than look adoringly at the other man  &  end up flying smack into the side of a building.  not smart !  no, no.  they gain distance from the scene, nine starts to drop once he spots a decent looking area     ⸻     an alley way with ordinary buildings, but not high rise office buildings that would practically invite onlookers to watch whatever might unfold.

he slowly floats down, now finally permitting himself to stare at the civilian trapped in work clothing.          ❝  what a coincidence, huh ?   ❞          the words barely come out, choked, nine's voice a shaky whisper.  all the confidence spent fighting a true villain out the window in the face of his crush.

dammit.

feet touch the floor  &  it is unavoidable how hands smooth over the other to help him stand upright.  nine clears his throat, fingers scratch at scalp, mussing his pulled back hair even more than the tussle sustained during the fight.          ❝  i'm ...  sorry i kinda kidnapped you.  but i couldn't resist.  ❞

then he laughs, trying to cover up the awkward phrasing.  it was just a joke !  a joke about the situation.  no amount of embarrassment can stop how touchy he has gotten around the fledgling hero, eager to feel the man to know that his heart still beats.          ❝  you're not hurt are you ?   ❞ frantic flittering lashes, his eyes glance about █████'s body, his clothes, taking in the stance.  he's no medic but doing this hero stuff has netted him with some basic first aid  &  trouble sign knowledge.  no, doesn't look hurt.  isn't standing weird.  oh but what about     ⸻

nine goes silent, his cheeks burning hot with an undeniable flush.  this is painful but now they're here  &  now he has no idea what he should do.  not when he's not even sure if █████  feels the same or if the warehouse incident was merely some weird twisted dream.  

the knights moralis