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Had to change my banner to this absolute masterpiece 😂

It wasn’t as if he didn’t know his lover. In fact he’d go to say he knew his partner very well, maybe more than anyone else. Just now that he thought of it he wasn’t too sure what to do.

The concept of gift giving was still a bit of a sore spot as much as he’d like not to talk about it. Most of his life he went without giving any gifts, even after joining the league most of his gifts were just gift cards or just money.

After all it was easier to give money then think of the thoughts and wants of someone. But now that he was with Kabu it felt complicated.

He couldn’t simply give his usual effort. As he’d made an effort in his relationship to do more than he’d usually do. Which came to sting him now not knowing what to give or do.

Kabu was a fiery man, no pun intended, and more than capable lover. And it felt as if anything he thought of wasn’t near enough or compatible. Especially knowing that Kabu likely would already know what he wanted of course.

Larry wasn’t that hard of a person to read. All he needed was some rest time, paid for his work, and good food. Some would even go to say those were his biggest vices in his life. He’d even go on to say it was at one point the most important part of his life until Kabu broke into his heart.

Every time he thought of him his heart soared. Flowing, melting, burning, it was all so much yet so wonderful. To feel enamored felt addicting especially considering the one who made his heart burn.

The man of fire himself, Kabu.

He practically fawned any time he thought of him it felt embarrassing. Which was why it was so paramount that he found something his partner would enjoy.

Anything he thought was too simple was kicked out of his mind immediately.

Sporting gear? Of course not, he's an athlete with more than enough. Coupons? No it wasn’t near enough to show his love. Fancy dinner? Never after all that seemed something closer Larry would want and to self center himself is the last thing he wants.

It was all so complicated it made his head hurt. And to have this part of his thoughts alongside all the demands of La Primera in his ears. And not to forget his duties as a trainer and elite four member it was all so overwhelming.

He’d even stopped mid paperwork to think. Catching the attention of little Poppy who had innocently been drawing next to his desk.

“Mr. Larry” She called out to him looking up at him with those little eyes that seemed to pierce anything.

“Yes?” Larry after a moment turned to look at her, finding it easier to stop working for a moment.

“Are you sad?”

Oh! That wasn’t the normal if anything he expected something closer to wanting a snack. “Why do you ask Poppy?”

“Just you seem to have something on your mind and you even stopped working.” Read him like a book even as a small kid, “Miss Rika said you never stop working even when sick, so it’s a little scary seeing you stop.”

“Oh.” Of course Rika had told her something like that.

“Well?”

“No, not at all Poppy.” He sighed, readjusting his tie, not sure if he should even share his mind, “Just I’m not sure what to give someone.”

“Like a birthday gift? Mommy said she was really happy last time when you gave me a bunch of coupons.” Poppy giggled to herself as he had given her such an adult gift not knowing what to give a kid. Which had caused Rika to pick on him for an entire week.

“Something similar. It’s for someone very important to my heart.”

“Is it Mr. Kabu?” Well that was a fast guess even for someone her age.

He couldn’t deny it all. He was read like a book by a small child, “Yes, it is about Kabu.”

“Realllyyy? I guessed right” She cheered in the all too dull room at the misfortunes of her caretaker.

“That you did.” He huffed for a moment patting her head. As for someone so small she was so very talented and smart.

“But, why are you worried about what to give Mr. Kabu?”

“Well…” It was awkward explaining such a thing to a kid, “Just I want to give something special to him though I’m not sure what I should give him. As the usual items I give as gifts don’t seem adequate.”

“Hmmm.” The girl paused, thinking really hard the way only a small child could, “How about just spending time together and eat a bigggg meal!”

As the girl cheered Larry could only feel confused.

“Why do you say that?”

“Well Mr. Kabu lives allllll the way in Galar and we’re in Paldea so coming all the way over here seems to be a big hassle.”

“Well-“ before he could continue she held her hand up stopping him.

“I’m not done!” She pouted, stopping him in his tracks, “And cause you loovveee food right? So it’s like bringing together both things you love very much!”

“That’s true to a degree.” Larry thought about it, as it wasn’t the worst idea, just it seemed too simple, “Just I don’t think it’s enough if I do.”

“Then make something homemade.” It was starting to wane on hymn Poppy's rapid disinterest turning her attention back to drawing, “Mommy says making something by hand is always the best way to show you care. And Mr. Kabu probably already is gonna get you food cause you lovveeee food.”

It was hard to argue with that logic. To have a simple night together would be more than simple enough to not border on not too elaborate and it’d be something they’d both enjoy. And it had also never dawned on him the idea what Kabu would give him.

Which when he thought about it seemed about right. As a portion of all their phone calls tended to revolve on their meals together. So to be treated to a large meal and the possibility of smaller items wouldn’t be that far fetched.

“You’re probably right.” Larry admitted as he got back to work writing, “We can go get a snack once I’m done.”

Now as he began working with the small cheers of the girl drawing next to him that he started thinking of what to cook for dinner. He’ll just figure it out as the date comes sooner for Kabu’s arrival.

Soon enough as the day came and went of Kabu’s arrival little Poppy’s advice had worked. A total success it was as they sat across from each other in silence humming along to the city ambience.

“Haha! It was delicious. You really have a knack for these things dear.” Kabu seemed so full of love as he looked at him it felt like he could just melt away.

“I have one last thing for you.” Larry responded, reaching into his pockets.

“Really? What could it be? it’s hard to beat this y’know?”

It took only a moment before Larry handed over the small paper in hand to Kabu. A small drawing a bit crude in nature drawn by the little expert artist.

The image was rather simple. Larry and Kabu holding hands with Poppy in the middle, all of them smiling together. It was damn near the cutest thing to ever grace the hands of Kabu.

“Poppy wanted you to have this.”

“It’s precious. I love it.”

The work he did was long and tedious. Really if he could he wouldn’t do it at all, but it’d make the job of others harder so he moved along anyways. Not like he didn’t enjoy his work or the people he worked with if anything he was quite fond of everyone.

From the newest hire to the oldest members of their team, even if by this point he was the oldest. Office work wasn’t necessarily the worst cause at the end of it he knew he’d have the most peaceful of rest.

And even better the opportunity to battle. With the league having requested him recently to even be a gym leader.

It was amusing how when he had first aimed for the leagues he’d failed but, now as he worked as a salaryman he was being recruited. Though now that he thought of it he wasn’t too sure if he wanted to.

It was more on the basis of how would his team fair without him. He was a team leader, mentor, and most precious to him a friend to those around him. It was troubling to think what would happen once he left or even stepped away shortly.

Would those around him fall off? Would they crumble from stress he so wished to alleviate from them? He had joined this company for his own personal growth but now, so long in, he worries for others to a tremendous degree.

Honestly, he’d shock the version of himself who was so much younger and narrow minded.

For a while he sat working till his eyes burned and fingers burned before he heard a voice not far, “Senior Kabu, would you like to come with us to a small after work party?”

“What seems to be the occasion?” Kabu grinned, taking any pause from work as heaven sent.

“Nothin’ much just to cool off. And especially after our last project was a success.” Spoke his coworker, an ever youthful man that so many of the new hires adored.

“It’s hard to deny.” He hummed for a moment looking back at the monitor in front of him, “Ahh, why not I’m not one to deny the company of others.”

Really it wouldn’t take much convincing to get him off his feet. The simple promise of food and a few drinks was all he’d need.

With swiftness he joined his colleagues taking rest for the night. As even for how long he’s been working it was rather easy to take steps with those much younger than himself. All a youthful bunch having gone from shy in their starting days to quick workplace friendships.

It was part of the reason why he worked so hard, to see everyone smile after a long day he told himself.

Where they’d all chosen to go was a rather quaint place. A Hoenn style restaurant that’d recently popped up in their city and thankfully due to the hour it’d already gone through its evening rush.

Now only leaving behind a sizable customer base of people leaving work and night owls. Though it seemed a bit busier this evening due to what he could tell a big sports game happening earlier.

“Lots of tourists.” He hummed to himself as he looked around.

Finding himself sat at one of the many bar seats of the place in the outer corners of their group. Sat next to a man who seemed rather dreary. Of course it’s not his place to judge so he kept to himself on thy regard.

Though as the night crawled on it became slightly harder to not notice the man’s… appetite. In the time Kabu had been able to eat a single bowl of ramen the man had eaten five, currently on his sixth.

“Won’t feel that tomorrow?” He sighed to himself out loud without meaning to catch the man’s attention.

“Hmm.” The stranger turned to look at him for a moment which now that he looked at him seemed to be a lot closer to his age then he’d thought.

“Oh, I didn’t mean to say that out loud.” Kabu apologized immediately not wishing to be rude, “Just isn’t that a lot on yourself to eat, just I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone eat that much before.”

The man whose name he’d yet to learn swallowed the content he currently had in his mouth, “It’s good and it helps keep my mind off other things.”

It shocked him a little hearing the man talk. As he was a lot quieter, almost meek in volume yet seemed so serious at the same time. Not at all the type of person he’d expect to eat so much, maybe an athlete with too much energy but not this.

“Really? And what seems to be such a cause?” He asked as he up his drink to take a sip.

“My coworkers…” Honestly the contempt radiating off the man felt damn near tangible, “Butting into my own time and personal affairs. And now dragging me off to where I didn’t want to be.”

“Oh really? That doesn’t seem fun but why do you let yourself be if you don’t enjoy it.” It was a rather earnest question especially considering the coworker relationship Kabu had with his own.

“If I don’t then that makes everyone complain then I’m saddled with more work.” He hummed taking her another large bite of food speaking in between bites, “Other than that it at least presents the ability to try new foods wherever we end up at.”

“I see then you’re mostly doing it for yourself.” Though of course it ticked him the thought that someone who so vehemently didn’t like to work traveled for it, “Hey, at least there’s at least good food right?”

“Yes. Wherever we go I keep a log of the foods and tastes I’ve come to enjoy in case we visit again.”

“Hehe, you see it’s not at all doom and gloom.”

“Even then at times it’d be easier to be allowed time without being told off on my attitude.”

“Really? What does everyone say?” Now that he was curious because if it was anything as he was now it might not be the most pleasant.

“People say I’m too standoffish and cold to new people.” There seemed to be a bit of annoyance to it all but also hurt.

“Well I’d say otherwise! You haven’t told me off have you!” Kabu laughed to himself as he spoke, “And I’m guessing it’s because you don’t do it for others you do it for yourself AND your coworkers right.”

“There’s truth to that. I understand the need to be cordial but to be even more with others is more than tiresome.” The man huffed for a moment finally lowering his bowl of ramen, “Without my aid they wouldn’t be a full team either. It’s just something I don’t wish for them.”

“Not a fan of public relations, I get it especially with being a senior at my company.” A little self praising wouldn’t hurt now, “I also mostly work long hours to make sure my folks aren’t too stressed. Even if we all work and stress, even alleviating a little makes everyone happy, you understand that right?”

“Of course it’s only natural. Just at times I wish others would understand my point more.” The man continued looking at him from what he could tell on his rather serious face faint traces of a smile appearing.

“Give and take and all that, sounds like you’ve got good people if you’re looking out for them even if a bit annoyed.”

“I can say that yes.”

It seemed he’d worked his charm on someone his age helping them ease out Kabu applauded himself.

“But, I can’t say I don’t enjoy your company.” The man spoke faint traces of joy in his face turning back to his meal.

“Really now? I’m shocked you must tell me more.” He hummed out yet still playing around at the lightening atmosphere, “I kid of course.”

“You're one of the few who seemed to not expect something immediately.” The man spoke as he eat something. In his voice Kabu couldn’t quite tell, “It’s nice to hear and see, even if only shortly.”

“Well how about we talk some more after this? Sounds like a plan?”

Without thinking Kabu offered out a hand to shake one of many he’d given out in his professional field. Though this one was a lot more casual and open then he’d like to admit.

As it seemed to take the man for a loop. Stopping staring at him not knowing how to react for a moment before setting his bowl down to shake his hand.

“My name is Larry, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“Call me Kabu! Now please if you will tell me about all your culinary exploits that caught my eye earlier.”

“It’s more than my pleasure, where to start?”

Their night had gone by in the blink of an eye having Kabu having completely forgotten he’d even been with his coworkers. Spending his entire night speaking with the man only interrupted once the restaurant closed its doors for the night.

Exchanging numbers quickly as they set off for the night.

At some point he’d even learnt the recluse he had met on a night out was a family baseball player from Paldea. His ‘annoying’ coworkers being all widely renewed players in their own rights.

Even more to his surprise when he had gotten a phone call from the man. Having never expected to hear from him again.

“Hello, is this Kabu?” In that same tone he’d gotten more than used to over a single night.

“Ah, yes I didn’t think you’d call back.” He stumbled for a moment currently on his way home not knowing how to react.

“Sorry for the delay. I didn’t know when to call back, I’m assuming you’re not busy now?”