[For a band just starting out in an entirely new region - in an entirely new world - things were going pretty good. They're still going objectively good. The amount of money they've pulled in this month alone is Good.
When this guy approached them, they had every reason to believe it was another good gig, especially with the amount they were being promised...until they get to the venue and see that it was actually for a child's birthday party. The kid in question is turning six and his favorite favorite thing on the planet are Torchics, and his father saw their logo and thought it would be close enough. He's even providing them costumes!
The reveal makes Ryan's stomach bottom out, and it must show on his face because suddenly Min seems concerned at how long he's been quiet and-- nope. Can't have that.
So he smiles. He agrees. Come on, Min. They can't ruin a kid's birthday, right? But it's all very surface level and he feels like his entire brain has ejected itself into space. He goes through the motions, he puts on the dumb costume and tunes up his new guitar, but there's something uncomfortable and wrong in the air, no matter how much he insists otherwise.
To Ryan's surprise, the show actually goes okay? It takes a song or two, but they have enough stage presence that some of the kids are actually paying attention and enjoying the show, including the birthday boy. Most of the set list had to be changed to suit a younger audience, but at least they finally have a crowd interested in various animals (or pokémon) wearing toques. Ryan starts to seem like himself again while they play together.
Once the show ends, they are invited to stay and eat cake and even let their pokémon play, as long as they promise to leave the costumes on - apparently there had been some kind of incident at another party, but whatever. Ryan's only half paying attention. He can be a giant chicken pokémon eating cake, it's fine. He's still feeling a little weird though, so takes it upon himself to grab them a place to sit where they won't get harassed by little kids treating them like mascots while Min finishes up squaring away payment details.
Min will find Ryan with a couple of chairs off to the side, past where the parents are hanging out as if they will be some sort of little kid barrier. He has cake, but he doesn't seem to be actually eating it - just holding the plate and cutting off little bites to push them around the plate. He feels kind of nauseous, honestly.
When he sees Min though, he manages a smile.]
Hey, man. Saved you some cake?
[There is indeed a piece of cake on the chair reserved for Min - bigger than Ryan's and untouched.]
[The immediacy and intensity of their success had struck Min-Gi as odd from the very beginning. Not that he isn't happy about it, but they'd worked much harder for much less back home even taking advantage of some of Ryan's prior contacts. He doesn't understand how one video from a last minute, barely attended show could get them the amount of attention it has. Every new venue they play he half expects they're about to realise it's all been one big misunderstanding.
So this...
This isn't actually that much of a surprise to him. He's a little offended that the guy apparently thought this was their kind of gig, but not surprised. Not that there's anything wrong with being children's entertainers, of course. That's just not who Chicken Choice Judy are. At this point, though, he feels like they're obligated to take it or else risk ruining some poor six year old's special day. They couldn't do that, right?
Except Ryan seems weirdly quiet. He'd figured out of the two of them Ryan would be the more enthusiastic one, but for a while he hardly says a word. He's not sure how to react at first. It's less frequent than it used to be, but it's usually Ryan who has to pull Min out of his own head before a show. It worries him enough that he does feel as though maybe they should back out after all, even once Ryan starts insisting they play. All throughout their costume change and setup he's ready to pull the plug, but in the end it goes ahead and everything seems to go okay.
He's glad to see Ryan looking like he's having fun, but he hasn't forgotten the expression on his face when they found out just what they were playing. It takes him longer than he'd like to sort out their payment, then he finds himself briefly accosted by excited six year olds when he's acquiring juice boxes. The whole time he's painfully aware of Ryan being off on his own, pretending to eat cake.
By the time he makes it over to him there's obvious concern etched on his face. He doesn't even acknowledge the cake he's kept back for him, save to move it so he can sit next to him. He holds out one of the juice boxes for him to take. If he's not going to eat, he should at least drink something.]
You okay? I've never seen a gig get you down like this.
[He's missing something, but he's no idea what it could be. It leaves him feeling helpless in a way he usually doesn't when it comes to Ryan.]
[Ryan stares at the juice box for a second and then accepts the silent compromise. He sets his cake aside too, so he can poke the straw through and take a small sip.]
I'm alright.
[He's full of shit, but he's historically terrible about talking about his own problems. It's something he always winds up working his way up to, as though he isn't sure anyone else could handle the weight he's gotten used to carrying.
But he knows Min knows. He hasn't been hiding it well at all, or maybe with time Min-Gi's just gotten better at seeing it. He sighs.]
I've definitely had worse gigs. I...thought it was gonna be worse.
[Min watches him carefully, poking the straw into his own carton once he's satisfied Ryan has at the very least taken a small sip. He drinks slowly while he listens, waiting patiently for him to elaborate. He doesn't expect the full story right away, but he also doesn't want to push him until he's at least acknowledged something's wrong.]
Why would you think it would be worse?
[He knows Ryan's had bad gigs during his solo career, but it's not something he ever really talks about and it's not something Min's ever had much reason to bring up. Things have been going pretty well for them, and he'd thought that was good enough. He hadn't realised that was something that still bothered him.]
[It doesn't usually bother him much anymore. It's rare for Ryan to get worked up over a show, and they don't exactly play a lot of the kinds of gigs that would bother him. The whole situation is pretty outside their norm. Usually if he thinks about it, it's just out of gratefulness that that isn't his life anymore. That they're doing better for themselves, together.
He's never talked much about his bad gigs because he's never really needed to. The most he's ever said was that the tour went badly, not how or why. Some of it early on was admittedly fear - as though telling Min would psyche him out, or make him change his mind - but most of it is what it always is. Ryan keeping negative things to himself.]
Because...
[He hesitates, wavering on whether he really wants to share or not. But he pushes down the impulse that it's stupid and overdramatic, especially when the show went well. He's being actively weird and at this point not telling Min why feels more like hiding it and making him worry more.
So, he takes a deep breath and steels himself.]
...A lot of my gigs towards the end were barely even gigs? Stuff where I was just underpaid background noise. Like, you could have replaced me with a boom box and not a single person would have even noticed.
[It feels like a lot, but it's still not giving details. He's still working up to details, eventually. Maybe.]
I was...desperate, I guess. Taking literally whatever for enough gas money to get to the next place, when I still had Dad's van. [Another story he's only told the absolute barest minimum of. He gave it away, with no elaboration whatsoever.] And it sucked. And I...thought it was going to be like that. I guess.
[Min looks at him expectantly, wanting to know what's been bothering him but afraid to say anything in case it makes him retreat back into silence. More silence than there is already.
His frown deepens as he finally elaborates. It's hard to imagine Ryan not lighting up any room he plays in. He's always put so much passion into his music, and he's so talented. It hurts to hear just how little he'd been appreciated before he'd come home to try and convince Min to join him. He's known for a while now that things weren't good, but that doesn't stop his own misinformed words echoing in his mind.
"Everything's been so easy for you."
He already feels bad for how jealous he'd been of Ryan's seemingly effortless ability to do whatever he wanted, but hearing specifics makes the guilt twist extra hard in his gut. He'd been miserable, but at least he'd been comfortable.]
I had no idea it was like that. I guess... I thought...
[What had he thought? That Ryan was financially irresponsible? That he didn't know how to take care of himself? He's ashamed to realise those had been part of his assumptions. That, and maybe just that Ryan had missed him. Like Min's company is some magic fix all for all the problems he'd had on his last attempt. He should have asked more questions sooner.]
I'm sorry you didn't feel like you could tell me. I know it would have sucked of us not to play this show so last minute, but if something like this happens again... we don't have to do it. I don't care who it's for if playing it's going to make you unhappy.
It started with a visit from a flying Raichu with pancakes in tow. Min-Gi was rightly cautious about mysterious free food from a psychic type pokémon, but Ryan dismissed these concerns because what are the odds something like this would happen again? Besides, they were just pancakes. What could possibly happen?
At first, it seemed like Ryan might have been right. He had delicious free Raichu pancakes and Min worried too much and missed out. But the day has only gotten stranger from there.
Ever since then, Ryan has been...particularly clingy. He's kept to the same room as Min-Gi, followed him any time he got up to leave, and been unusually antsy any time he's had to be alone for more than just a few seconds.
Which brings us to now - with Ryan hanging around outside of the bathroom. Their cat pokémon Vogue and Strut are also there, but that part is a little more normal. They're cats; they are always invested in what's happening in a room they aren't allowed to follow someone into. Ryan isn't usually also this invest though, and he's kind of using Vogue and Strut as an excuse to hang out there, idly taking turns petting them.
Is Min still in there? He has to be, right?
Of course he is. He totally is. It just feels like it's been twenty years, that's all.
Ryan is totally fine and can wait quietly out here as long as he needs to. Because if he gets up and goes somewhere else, then Min might come out and go somewhere else, and then he won't know where he is for who knows how long--
--There's a noise.
All three of them perk up, waiting to see if the bathroom door is going to open.]
[Today has been weird. The Raichu hadn't been a great start as far as Min's concerned, but Ryan had been happy enough to indulge them (and himself) by taking the pancakes despite his attempts to warn him away from the idea.
There hadn't been any obvious problems at first, but after a while it's impossible not to notice that Ryan's sticking a little closer than he usually would. Sure they're close and they're already used to being in each other's space, so that's not a problem exactly. It's just this seems more extreme than usual. He can't go anywhere without Ryan following close behind. He even walks into him a few times.
At first he'd been worried. Maybe the pancakes hadn't been such a great idea after all and they'd made Ryan sick, but he claims that's not the case. It's getting to the point where Min-Gi finds himself frustrated by his clinginess and it's getting harder not to show it.
The bathroom is one of the few places he can get any time away from Ryan, and he admittedly drags his feet a little bit to make the most of it. It's a relief to get a few minutes to himself, and by the time he opens the door back up again he's feeling a little better about the situation. It isn't that bad that Ryan wants to be around him so much. It's definitely better than things had been at the start of the month when they'd physically been unable to touch each other.
Or at least he thinks so until he opens the door to find three sets of eyes staring right at him. Strut and Vogue aren't a surprise, but Ryan? Ryan definitely is. He doesn't react as Strut trots over to him and starts rubbing herself around his ankles, eyes locked onto Ryan in mortification.]
[Ryan is very happy to see Min, at least until Min seems kinds of horrified about all of this. Then he at least has the sense to be a little sheepish about it.]
......Noooooo?
[Said in that sing-song question-y way that absolutely means he was here the entire time. There isn't a single doubt.]
I was just...playing with Vogue, because he was already here.
[He reaches for Vogue, but Vogue slips through his fingers and catwalks over to the other side of the room to sit down, far out of reach. He is not helping you out of this, Ryan.]
[Ryan isn't even really trying to pretend he wasn't there. The excuse is weak, and they both know it. Min shoots Ryan a look of annoyance before he stalks off after Vogue, joining him on the opposite side of the room. He fully expects Ryan to follow, but there isn't much he can do about that outside of glaring and hoping that warns him off.
Strut mews in disappointment as she's left behind without so much as an acknowledgement. Her stubby little legs not letting her keep up with her trainer, so she resorts to trying to get attention from Ryan instead. He'd been happy to give it only a few moments ago. Surely he won't let her down.]
What is going on with you today? I can't even use the bathroom without you trying to follow me now?
[Ryan does get up, in an automatic motion, and follow Min across the room. Strut mews behind him, and he does take a second to stop and offer her a ride in his arms, but as soon as he does his eyes are back on Min-Gi, as if he might have vanished in that short time.]
It's not like I followed you in the bathroom.
[That isn't the point and they both know it, but he's still sticking to it anyway, as he literally accompanies Min to the other side of the room.]
There's nothing going on with me! I just...
[He trails off, suddenly not eager to explain himself.]
There's nothing weird going on! I just like hanging out with you, that's all. It's not a big deal!
[That is a truly horrifying thought and now he's going to be worrying about that every time he has to go. Thanks, Ryan.
It's hard to stay too mad when there is clearly something up with him, but he's put up with enough from him today that some of the irritation does linger even beneath his concern.]
I like hanging out with you, too. That doesn't mean you have to be two steps behind me for the entire day. This isn't like you.
[It's still early in the day, and the initial panic of being red and blue stained gem people has already lost some of its novelty. A check-in on their Pokégears reveals that it is apparently one of those weekends, and that's enough to reassure Ryan that whatever this is, it isn't permanent.
There are all sorts of little odd things about it, like how his gem somehow feels like it's the entire center of his being or how his boots and shirt and such feel like they're basically painted onto him. His whole body is an unnatural reddish-pink and somehow he feels really light, impossibly so - like all of his mass is inside his gem.
Red Jade. He doesn't know why he knows that's what it is, but he knows it instinctively.
At the moment, they're hanging out at their place in Vermillion. They have a wedding to play in a couple of days, so it made the most sense to stay local until they have to take the ferry and get some practice in. This turn of events is unbelievably distracting though, and naturally they haven't gotten a ton done. Ryan's pacing around, trying to distract himself with the task at hand - finalizing their contributions to the collaborative set list. Vogue is making a game of following his steps.]
Hmmm...you think White Wedding's too on the nose to use?
[Is it on the nose or is it actually just a lyrically bad pick for a wedding? Who's to say?]
[Strut follows after Vogue, nipping at his tail to try and get some of the attention she's clearly being deprived of. Min-Gi is the only one that's static. He's hardly moved since he set up his synth, not enjoying how utterly unlike himself he looks and feels. He doesn't like the glimpses of blue he keeps catching, or that his clothes are somehow a part of him, or the feel of fabric on fabric(?) from the pants he's put on over just so he doesn't feel quite so naked.
He looks up at Ryan's suggestion, perplexed and maybe a little offended on the couple's behalf.]
No way, man. Just because a song's got wedding in the title that doesn't mean you can sing it at one.
[Not that he's coming up with anything at the moment.]
[Ryan kind of expected this answer to some degree, but he's grinning anyway. Min set him up perfectly.]
But Miiiiin, it's a--
[Then he dips his voice low, probably a little too Ridge Irvine sand paper and not enough Billy Idol, but the joke still stands.]
♪ --nice day for a~ white weddingggg It's a~ nice day to~ start agaaaaain ♪
[He can't keep it going much more than that though, because he's starting to laugh too much. Vogue has turned his attention directly to Strut from all of the tail nipping, but she should look out-- he's low to the ground, butt wiggling in the air, and clearly plotting to pounce.]
Shut up. That isn't even what Billy Idol sounds like.
[He still isn't really looking at Ryan, but his irritation is clearly put on and there's a hint of a smile tugging at his lips as he tries to suppress a snigger. He has to stop and think before he can give any answers though. It's surprisingly hard to think up a good song for a wedding. There are no shortage of love songs, but none of them feel right. They're too cheesy, or too sad, or don't fit what (admittedly little) he knows about them as a couple. He taps out a few absent notes on the keyboard, trying to think up a real suggestion.
Strut, meanwhile, is just happy that someone is paying her attention. She either doesn't know or doesn't care that she's about to be pounced on, crouching before Vogue to mimic his pose.]
How about...
[He doesn't sound totally sure of whatever he's about to suggest, but after a short deliberation he starts to play out the intro to a song.]
♪ How can I convince you What you see is real? Who am I to blame you For doubting what you feel...? ♪
[He trails off, looking over at Ryan for his thoughts. He figures it's a better option than White Wedding if nothing else.]
[Ryan sways a little, as if he's feeling out the music to try and remember it, but once the lyrics hit his face lights up. That's a good one! Instead of saying as much he just joins in, taking the second half of the verse for himself.]
♪ I was always reachin' You were just a girl I knew I took for granted The friend I had in you ♪
[He stops pacing, instead moving toward Min-Gi and his synth. There's no planning - he knows intuitively that they'll come together for the chorus in harmony.]
♪ I was living for a dreaaaaam Loving for a momeeeeent Taking on theeee woooorld That was just myyyy styyyle ♪
[It really was, wasn't it? He knows all the words, but Ryan hasn't thought about this song in a long time. It feels so much different than it did in high school, after everything they've been through.
His attention is on Min and his song choice, and unfortunately not at all on their cat pokémon. Almost on cue, Vogue takes for granted the friend he has in Strut and leaps into a tackle, sending both cats tumbling across the floor.]
[He can tell before Ryan even joins in his has his approval. It gives him the confidence to keep playing, letting Ryan take over the words for a moment before they come together for the chorus.
It hadn't occurred to him when he'd thought of it just how easily this song could apply to them if the lyrics weren't so blatantly romantic, but hearing the words from Ryan's own mouth has his cheeks heating up a little. He's not sure how he can take looking into Ryan's eyes while actually singing about looking into his eyes, but thankfully the thud and quickly following yowl as Vogue tackles Strut spares him that dilemma. He stops playing abruptly, standing up quicker than he means to to investigate the commotion.
Strut is fine, despite all her dramatic wailing. Min-Gi, on the other hand, still isn't used to his new centre of gravity and has to steady himself.]
Strut! Can't you see we're trying to work?
[Because honestly? She might be underneath, but he has a strong feeling she's probably the instigator here.]
[Ryan and Min-Gi have put it off for a while now due to confessions and rocket hideouts and weddings and worms, but it's time to make their big camping trip - the extra long trek to Fuchsia City, to get Ryan his own warp there.
Essentially they had two options - they could bike from Celadon or take a very, very long hike from Lavender Town, and neither sounded that great. Fortunately a miracle (or a nightmare) occurred, shortly before the trip All Dressed evolved into an Espathra, meaning that Ryan would also have a ride pokemon to use, cutting the longer route by a third.
So far, it's been a pretty peaceful trip. The route is predictably not very populated, so they've had most of it to themselves, aside from a lone fisherman or two. For all intents and purposes, it's been a scenic route along the water.
They're a couple of days into the adventure now and they've found a spot that's almost picturesque - a small campsite (clearly used by others before them) just off the water, hidden from the main wooden dock path by forest. There's no signs about whether or not it's okay to swim there, but it's been ridiculously hot so the two of them set up camp a little early and spend the late afternoon swimming.
It's nothing they aren't used to. They grew up together. They've jumped in Powell Lake together. But...it feels different now, after their confessions. Ryan's kept things as normal as he possibly can, but swimming half naked with the love of your life is a lot different when they know that's how you feel. The school of luvdisc living in the swimming hole didn't really help matters.
Now it's evening, and they're casually putting off going to bed. Neither of them have mentioned that's what's happening, but it's almost certainly what's happening. Ryan's given up on trying to do anything productive with this time - he's in dry clothes, but he's still wandered off to the docks, dangling his bare feet in the water and looking up at the stars, lost in thought.
The route is so quiet that there's no hiding it when Min approaches and Ryan perks right up, and then waves a hand.]
[It's a route that Min-Gi hasn't actually taken before to a city he still hasn't seen, so it's been nice to finally go into something new together even if some of the circumstances are...... less desirable. He's been trying not to focus on All Dressed intimidating new form, or the moments of awkwardness between the two of them that hadn't existed before.
Instead he tries to enjoy the weather (even if it's maybe a little warmer than he'd like), the scenery, and how nice it is for it to just be the two of them alone on the road.
At first swimming had seemed like a good idea, and it wasn't like they hadn't had fun. Both with each other and with their teams. Their Pokémon had enjoyed the chance to unwind and have fun in such a pretty, reclusive space. Doug, Killer Queen, and North had especially appreciated the water. Saffron had enjoyed soaking up the sun and a break from having to carry her trainer.
There had definitely been moments where Min had been a lot more aware of Ryan though. Was he looking at him or was he looking at him? Had he noticed Min-Gi's eyes straying to check him out? In some ways it felt like that should be more okay, but it made him nervous too. They both knew things were different between them, and they both knew which one of them was holding them back.
After settling down their Pokémon for the night it's down to just the two of them again, and tonight especially Min-Gi's nervous of that. He forces a smile as he joins Ryan by the water, kicking off his shoes and rolling up his pants to he can sit next to him with his feet in the water. His hair is still down from their afternoon swimming, but it's thankfully still short enough it isn't getting in his eyes yet.]
Hey. Good call with the swimming. It's like having our own private pool.
[Apart from the wild Pokémon. He could have done without the Luvdisc that seemed to keep grouping around them, but otherwise...]
[The thing is, Ryan has noticed. It's a little harder not to, now that he knows how Min really feels. There were a few times when he saw Min clearly peeking and pretended to look away or not notice. What else was he going to do, call him on it and make Min realize he'd also been looking or he wouldn't have even seen it?
Things are definitely different. Not necessarily in a bad way, but in a way that is impossible to ignore. ...Except Ryan has to ignore it, because Min isn't ready. It's the ultimate test of not pushing Min too hard too soon, and Ryan is pretty sure he's failing.
There's no other choice though. It's this or nothing, and he needs Min so badly.
He smiles back with practiced ease, and pats the seat next to him on the dock. He'll always take the company. His hair's still a little wet from earlier, so it hangs down a bit longer than usual, and he swishes his feet back and forth in the water.]
Thanks! It's like, the perfect spot and there's nobody here. Our own secret swimming hole!
[Ryan is trying to look Min in the face, but his gaze keeps flicking up to his hair. It looks so good down and it's pretty rare for him to walk around with it that way. Min's hair is always good of course, but there's something really handsome about it being down. Something unkempt about it in a very particular way that makes Ryan's cheeks go pink.
Fuck. He has to stop looking at it.]
Y-You, uh! You can really see the stars too!
[A perfect out - he can look directly up and not at Min-Gi's handsome hair or his handsome face. Nailed it.]
[Min-Gi frowns, squinting at him through narrowed eyes at that reaction. He'd seemed fine when he'd shown up. Happy. But as soon as he'd sat next to him his entire body language had changed even though he'd been the one who'd invited him to. He'd have got it earlier, but now? Now it confuses him. They're both fully dressed and back to normal. What's the big deal? It should be easier now.]
Yeah. We should come back here. It would be nice to stay out here a few days when we can fly or something.
[The big downside is that it takes a few days to get to the spot, but it's nice. Clearly not totally unused, but not so busy they couldn't get lucky and get it to themselves for a while.
That's not really the point now though. Ryan's talking about how perfect it is, but his head's clearly not in the conversation.]
[Ryan nods, agreeing more this the sky than with Min-Gi, but he's right. They should totally come back here. It would be a nice place to spend a couple of days just chilling out, swimming, playing with their Pokémon. Maybe even writing some music and just vibing with nature.
But then oh, no. He's been caught. He startles a little because he wasn't expecting Min to immediately call it out when they've been awkwardly dancing around each other all day, but it does get his attention back to him...not before shaking his head a little first though, as a reassurance and to force his head out of the gutter.]
Yeah, man! I'm fine!
[Except the boy who cried "I'm fine" suddenly realizes that means absolutely nothing after all the times he's done it when he wasn't.]
Really. It's not anything bad. I was just...I-I was thinking...y'know...
[That sentence could end so many ways, but ultimately Ryan blurts out the honest thought.]
[The answer is frankly baffling, and not one Min ever would have guessed at. He kind of regrets asking now, unsure how he's supposed to react to that. His face heats up rapidly, and he tenses up next to Ryan, hand moving to brush it back as though to smooth it into its usual style. Of course his efforts don't do much with no product in to keep it back.]
I didn't do anything with it.
[It's not even modesty. He's literally done nothing. He's not sure if that even feels like a compliment when he always spends time styling it so carefully. Is there any point if Ryan thinks it looks so much better like this?
But he can't deny he must be telling the truth. Even counting the moments over the day they've both pretended to ignore, this feels like the most flustered he's seen Ryan.]
Thank you...? I didn't see the point styling it by the time we were done swimming...
[He stares awkwardly into the water. It's too dark to see his reflection now, but it's not as though he doesn't know how his own hair looks. He doesn't get it.]
[Sometime this month Min-Gi will receive a package from Johto. Inside he will find a cake that's wrapped in red cloth. Also there is a small box that contains a dragon fang on a long string that's clearly meant to be worn as a necklace. The string being long enough that he can fit on a large pokemon. There's also a note tucked into the folds of the red cloth with elegant handwriting.]
Su cuy'gar, Min-Gi, I hope this winter season finds you well and staying warm. Your ice Pokemon are enjoying it at least I'm certain. While holidays like Christmas are not something I celebrate back home in my own galaxy, I wanted to send you something to show my appreciation for your kindness. First is a traditional Mandalorian dessert that's called Uj'alayi. The recipe for which has been passed down in my family for many generations. I hope you and Ryan enjoy it. Secondly I've included a dragon fang that I thought might be useful for Beat or any other dragon pokemon you might have.
All this month I'll be traveling across Johto, so I don't expect our paths to cross again any time soon. So if I don't see you, I hope you and yours have an enjoyable holiday.
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Later this month, at a torchic themed birthday party
When this guy approached them, they had every reason to believe it was another good gig, especially with the amount they were being promised...until they get to the venue and see that it was actually for a child's birthday party. The kid in question is turning six and his favorite favorite thing on the planet are Torchics, and his father saw their logo and thought it would be close enough. He's even providing them costumes!
The reveal makes Ryan's stomach bottom out, and it must show on his face because suddenly Min seems concerned at how long he's been quiet and-- nope. Can't have that.
So he smiles. He agrees. Come on, Min. They can't ruin a kid's birthday, right? But it's all very surface level and he feels like his entire brain has ejected itself into space. He goes through the motions, he puts on the dumb costume and tunes up his new guitar, but there's something uncomfortable and wrong in the air, no matter how much he insists otherwise.
To Ryan's surprise, the show actually goes okay? It takes a song or two, but they have enough stage presence that some of the kids are actually paying attention and enjoying the show, including the birthday boy. Most of the set list had to be changed to suit a younger audience, but at least they finally have a crowd interested in various animals (or pokémon) wearing toques. Ryan starts to seem like himself again while they play together.
Once the show ends, they are invited to stay and eat cake and even let their pokémon play, as long as they promise to leave the costumes on - apparently there had been some kind of incident at another party, but whatever. Ryan's only half paying attention. He can be a giant chicken pokémon eating cake, it's fine. He's still feeling a little weird though, so takes it upon himself to grab them a place to sit where they won't get harassed by little kids treating them like mascots while Min finishes up squaring away payment details.
Min will find Ryan with a couple of chairs off to the side, past where the parents are hanging out as if they will be some sort of little kid barrier. He has cake, but he doesn't seem to be actually eating it - just holding the plate and cutting off little bites to push them around the plate. He feels kind of nauseous, honestly.
When he sees Min though, he manages a smile.]
Hey, man. Saved you some cake?
[There is indeed a piece of cake on the chair reserved for Min - bigger than Ryan's and untouched.]
no subject
So this...
This isn't actually that much of a surprise to him. He's a little offended that the guy apparently thought this was their kind of gig, but not surprised. Not that there's anything wrong with being children's entertainers, of course. That's just not who Chicken Choice Judy are. At this point, though, he feels like they're obligated to take it or else risk ruining some poor six year old's special day. They couldn't do that, right?
Except Ryan seems weirdly quiet. He'd figured out of the two of them Ryan would be the more enthusiastic one, but for a while he hardly says a word. He's not sure how to react at first. It's less frequent than it used to be, but it's usually Ryan who has to pull Min out of his own head before a show. It worries him enough that he does feel as though maybe they should back out after all, even once Ryan starts insisting they play. All throughout their costume change and setup he's ready to pull the plug, but in the end it goes ahead and everything seems to go okay.
He's glad to see Ryan looking like he's having fun, but he hasn't forgotten the expression on his face when they found out just what they were playing. It takes him longer than he'd like to sort out their payment, then he finds himself briefly accosted by excited six year olds when he's acquiring juice boxes. The whole time he's painfully aware of Ryan being off on his own, pretending to eat cake.
By the time he makes it over to him there's obvious concern etched on his face. He doesn't even acknowledge the cake he's kept back for him, save to move it so he can sit next to him. He holds out one of the juice boxes for him to take. If he's not going to eat, he should at least drink something.]
You okay? I've never seen a gig get you down like this.
[He's missing something, but he's no idea what it could be. It leaves him feeling helpless in a way he usually doesn't when it comes to Ryan.]
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I'm alright.
[He's full of shit, but he's historically terrible about talking about his own problems. It's something he always winds up working his way up to, as though he isn't sure anyone else could handle the weight he's gotten used to carrying.
But he knows Min knows. He hasn't been hiding it well at all, or maybe with time Min-Gi's just gotten better at seeing it. He sighs.]
I've definitely had worse gigs. I...thought it was gonna be worse.
[But it wasn't! So he should be fine now!]
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Why would you think it would be worse?
[He knows Ryan's had bad gigs during his solo career, but it's not something he ever really talks about and it's not something Min's ever had much reason to bring up. Things have been going pretty well for them, and he'd thought that was good enough. He hadn't realised that was something that still bothered him.]
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He's never talked much about his bad gigs because he's never really needed to. The most he's ever said was that the tour went badly, not how or why. Some of it early on was admittedly fear - as though telling Min would psyche him out, or make him change his mind - but most of it is what it always is. Ryan keeping negative things to himself.]
Because...
[He hesitates, wavering on whether he really wants to share or not. But he pushes down the impulse that it's stupid and overdramatic, especially when the show went well. He's being actively weird and at this point not telling Min why feels more like hiding it and making him worry more.
So, he takes a deep breath and steels himself.]
...A lot of my gigs towards the end were barely even gigs? Stuff where I was just underpaid background noise. Like, you could have replaced me with a boom box and not a single person would have even noticed.
[It feels like a lot, but it's still not giving details. He's still working up to details, eventually. Maybe.]
I was...desperate, I guess. Taking literally whatever for enough gas money to get to the next place, when I still had Dad's van. [Another story he's only told the absolute barest minimum of. He gave it away, with no elaboration whatsoever.] And it sucked. And I...thought it was going to be like that. I guess.
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His frown deepens as he finally elaborates. It's hard to imagine Ryan not lighting up any room he plays in. He's always put so much passion into his music, and he's so talented. It hurts to hear just how little he'd been appreciated before he'd come home to try and convince Min to join him. He's known for a while now that things weren't good, but that doesn't stop his own misinformed words echoing in his mind.
"Everything's been so easy for you."
He already feels bad for how jealous he'd been of Ryan's seemingly effortless ability to do whatever he wanted, but hearing specifics makes the guilt twist extra hard in his gut. He'd been miserable, but at least he'd been comfortable.]
I had no idea it was like that. I guess... I thought...
[What had he thought? That Ryan was financially irresponsible? That he didn't know how to take care of himself? He's ashamed to realise those had been part of his assumptions. That, and maybe just that Ryan had missed him. Like Min's company is some magic fix all for all the problems he'd had on his last attempt. He should have asked more questions sooner.]
I'm sorry you didn't feel like you could tell me. I know it would have sucked of us not to play this show so last minute, but if something like this happens again... we don't have to do it. I don't care who it's for if playing it's going to make you unhappy.
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Happy Pancake Day
It started with a visit from a flying Raichu with pancakes in tow. Min-Gi was rightly cautious about mysterious free food from a psychic type pokémon, but Ryan dismissed these concerns because what are the odds something like this would happen again? Besides, they were just pancakes. What could possibly happen?
At first, it seemed like Ryan might have been right. He had delicious free Raichu pancakes and Min worried too much and missed out. But the day has only gotten stranger from there.
Ever since then, Ryan has been...particularly clingy. He's kept to the same room as Min-Gi, followed him any time he got up to leave, and been unusually antsy any time he's had to be alone for more than just a few seconds.
Which brings us to now - with Ryan hanging around outside of the bathroom. Their cat pokémon Vogue and Strut are also there, but that part is a little more normal. They're cats; they are always invested in what's happening in a room they aren't allowed to follow someone into. Ryan isn't usually also this invest though, and he's kind of using Vogue and Strut as an excuse to hang out there, idly taking turns petting them.
Is Min still in there? He has to be, right?
Of course he is. He totally is. It just feels like it's been twenty years, that's all.
Ryan is totally fine and can wait quietly out here as long as he needs to. Because if he gets up and goes somewhere else, then Min might come out and go somewhere else, and then he won't know where he is for who knows how long--
--There's a noise.
All three of them perk up, waiting to see if the bathroom door is going to open.]
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There hadn't been any obvious problems at first, but after a while it's impossible not to notice that Ryan's sticking a little closer than he usually would. Sure they're close and they're already used to being in each other's space, so that's not a problem exactly. It's just this seems more extreme than usual. He can't go anywhere without Ryan following close behind. He even walks into him a few times.
At first he'd been worried. Maybe the pancakes hadn't been such a great idea after all and they'd made Ryan sick, but he claims that's not the case. It's getting to the point where Min-Gi finds himself frustrated by his clinginess and it's getting harder not to show it.
The bathroom is one of the few places he can get any time away from Ryan, and he admittedly drags his feet a little bit to make the most of it. It's a relief to get a few minutes to himself, and by the time he opens the door back up again he's feeling a little better about the situation. It isn't that bad that Ryan wants to be around him so much. It's definitely better than things had been at the start of the month when they'd physically been unable to touch each other.
Or at least he thinks so until he opens the door to find three sets of eyes staring right at him. Strut and Vogue aren't a surprise, but Ryan? Ryan definitely is. He doesn't react as Strut trots over to him and starts rubbing herself around his ankles, eyes locked onto Ryan in mortification.]
Were you out here this whole time?
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......Noooooo?
[Said in that sing-song question-y way that absolutely means he was here the entire time. There isn't a single doubt.]
I was just...playing with Vogue, because he was already here.
[He reaches for Vogue, but Vogue slips through his fingers and catwalks over to the other side of the room to sit down, far out of reach. He is not helping you out of this, Ryan.]
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Strut mews in disappointment as she's left behind without so much as an acknowledgement. Her stubby little legs not letting her keep up with her trainer, so she resorts to trying to get attention from Ryan instead. He'd been happy to give it only a few moments ago. Surely he won't let her down.]
What is going on with you today? I can't even use the bathroom without you trying to follow me now?
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It's not like I followed you in the bathroom.
[That isn't the point and they both know it, but he's still sticking to it anyway, as he literally accompanies Min to the other side of the room.]
There's nothing going on with me! I just...
[He trails off, suddenly not eager to explain himself.]
There's nothing weird going on! I just like hanging out with you, that's all. It's not a big deal!
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[That is a truly horrifying thought and now he's going to be worrying about that every time he has to go. Thanks, Ryan.
It's hard to stay too mad when there is clearly something up with him, but he's put up with enough from him today that some of the irritation does linger even beneath his concern.]
I like hanging out with you, too. That doesn't mean you have to be two steps behind me for the entire day. This isn't like you.
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Fusion!!! (4th Wall, May 19th)
There are all sorts of little odd things about it, like how his gem somehow feels like it's the entire center of his being or how his boots and shirt and such feel like they're basically painted onto him. His whole body is an unnatural reddish-pink and somehow he feels really light, impossibly so - like all of his mass is inside his gem.
Red Jade. He doesn't know why he knows that's what it is, but he knows it instinctively.
At the moment, they're hanging out at their place in Vermillion. They have a wedding to play in a couple of days, so it made the most sense to stay local until they have to take the ferry and get some practice in. This turn of events is unbelievably distracting though, and naturally they haven't gotten a ton done. Ryan's pacing around, trying to distract himself with the task at hand - finalizing their contributions to the collaborative set list. Vogue is making a game of following his steps.]
Hmmm...you think White Wedding's too on the nose to use?
[Is it on the nose or is it actually just a lyrically bad pick for a wedding? Who's to say?]
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He looks up at Ryan's suggestion, perplexed and maybe a little offended on the couple's behalf.]
No way, man. Just because a song's got wedding in the title that doesn't mean you can sing it at one.
[Not that he's coming up with anything at the moment.]
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But Miiiiin, it's a--
[Then he dips his voice low, probably a little too Ridge Irvine sand paper and not enough Billy Idol, but the joke still stands.]
♪ --nice day for a~ white weddingggg
It's a~ nice day to~ start agaaaaain ♪
[He can't keep it going much more than that though, because he's starting to laugh too much. Vogue has turned his attention directly to Strut from all of the tail nipping, but she should look out-- he's low to the ground, butt wiggling in the air, and clearly plotting to pounce.]
But fine, fiiiine. Any other ideas?
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[He still isn't really looking at Ryan, but his irritation is clearly put on and there's a hint of a smile tugging at his lips as he tries to suppress a snigger. He has to stop and think before he can give any answers though. It's surprisingly hard to think up a good song for a wedding. There are no shortage of love songs, but none of them feel right. They're too cheesy, or too sad, or don't fit what (admittedly little) he knows about them as a couple. He taps out a few absent notes on the keyboard, trying to think up a real suggestion.
Strut, meanwhile, is just happy that someone is paying her attention. She either doesn't know or doesn't care that she's about to be pounced on, crouching before Vogue to mimic his pose.]
How about...
[He doesn't sound totally sure of whatever he's about to suggest, but after a short deliberation he starts to play out the intro to a song.]
♪ How can I convince you
What you see is real?
Who am I to blame you
For doubting what you feel...? ♪
[He trails off, looking over at Ryan for his thoughts. He figures it's a better option than White Wedding if nothing else.]
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♪ I was always reachin'
You were just a girl I knew
I took for granted
The friend I had in you ♪
[He stops pacing, instead moving toward Min-Gi and his synth. There's no planning - he knows intuitively that they'll come together for the chorus in harmony.]
♪ I was living for a dreaaaaam
Loving for a momeeeeent
Taking on theeee woooorld
That was just myyyy styyyle ♪
[It really was, wasn't it? He knows all the words, but Ryan hasn't thought about this song in a long time. It feels so much different than it did in high school, after everything they've been through.
His attention is on Min and his song choice, and unfortunately not at all on their cat pokémon. Almost on cue, Vogue takes for granted the friend he has in Strut and leaps into a tackle, sending both cats tumbling across the floor.]
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It hadn't occurred to him when he'd thought of it just how easily this song could apply to them if the lyrics weren't so blatantly romantic, but hearing the words from Ryan's own mouth has his cheeks heating up a little. He's not sure how he can take looking into Ryan's eyes while actually singing about looking into his eyes, but thankfully the thud and quickly following yowl as Vogue tackles Strut spares him that dilemma. He stops playing abruptly, standing up quicker than he means to to investigate the commotion.
Strut is fine, despite all her dramatic wailing. Min-Gi, on the other hand, still isn't used to his new centre of gravity and has to steady himself.]
Strut! Can't you see we're trying to work?
[Because honestly? She might be underneath, but he has a strong feeling she's probably the instigator here.]
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...
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Camping! Backdated to like the 19th ish
Essentially they had two options - they could bike from Celadon or take a very, very long hike from Lavender Town, and neither sounded that great. Fortunately a miracle (or a nightmare) occurred, shortly before the trip All Dressed evolved into an Espathra, meaning that Ryan would also have a ride pokemon to use, cutting the longer route by a third.
So far, it's been a pretty peaceful trip. The route is predictably not very populated, so they've had most of it to themselves, aside from a lone fisherman or two. For all intents and purposes, it's been a scenic route along the water.
They're a couple of days into the adventure now and they've found a spot that's almost picturesque - a small campsite (clearly used by others before them) just off the water, hidden from the main wooden dock path by forest. There's no signs about whether or not it's okay to swim there, but it's been ridiculously hot so the two of them set up camp a little early and spend the late afternoon swimming.
It's nothing they aren't used to. They grew up together. They've jumped in Powell Lake together. But...it feels different now, after their confessions. Ryan's kept things as normal as he possibly can, but swimming half naked with the love of your life is a lot different when they know that's how you feel. The school of luvdisc living in the swimming hole didn't really help matters.
Now it's evening, and they're casually putting off going to bed. Neither of them have mentioned that's what's happening, but it's almost certainly what's happening. Ryan's given up on trying to do anything productive with this time - he's in dry clothes, but he's still wandered off to the docks, dangling his bare feet in the water and looking up at the stars, lost in thought.
The route is so quiet that there's no hiding it when Min approaches and Ryan perks right up, and then waves a hand.]
Hey, man.
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Instead he tries to enjoy the weather (even if it's maybe a little warmer than he'd like), the scenery, and how nice it is for it to just be the two of them alone on the road.
At first swimming had seemed like a good idea, and it wasn't like they hadn't had fun. Both with each other and with their teams. Their Pokémon had enjoyed the chance to unwind and have fun in such a pretty, reclusive space. Doug, Killer Queen, and North had especially appreciated the water. Saffron had enjoyed soaking up the sun and a break from having to carry her trainer.
There had definitely been moments where Min had been a lot more aware of Ryan though. Was he looking at him or was he looking at him? Had he noticed Min-Gi's eyes straying to check him out? In some ways it felt like that should be more okay, but it made him nervous too. They both knew things were different between them, and they both knew which one of them was holding them back.
After settling down their Pokémon for the night it's down to just the two of them again, and tonight especially Min-Gi's nervous of that. He forces a smile as he joins Ryan by the water, kicking off his shoes and rolling up his pants to he can sit next to him with his feet in the water. His hair is still down from their afternoon swimming, but it's thankfully still short enough it isn't getting in his eyes yet.]
Hey. Good call with the swimming. It's like having our own private pool.
[Apart from the wild Pokémon. He could have done without the Luvdisc that seemed to keep grouping around them, but otherwise...]
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Things are definitely different. Not necessarily in a bad way, but in a way that is impossible to ignore. ...Except Ryan has to ignore it, because Min isn't ready. It's the ultimate test of not pushing Min too hard too soon, and Ryan is pretty sure he's failing.
There's no other choice though. It's this or nothing, and he needs Min so badly.
He smiles back with practiced ease, and pats the seat next to him on the dock. He'll always take the company. His hair's still a little wet from earlier, so it hangs down a bit longer than usual, and he swishes his feet back and forth in the water.]
Thanks! It's like, the perfect spot and there's nobody here. Our own secret swimming hole!
[Ryan is trying to look Min in the face, but his gaze keeps flicking up to his hair. It looks so good down and it's pretty rare for him to walk around with it that way. Min's hair is always good of course, but there's something really handsome about it being down. Something unkempt about it in a very particular way that makes Ryan's cheeks go pink.
Fuck. He has to stop looking at it.]
Y-You, uh! You can really see the stars too!
[A perfect out - he can look directly up and not at Min-Gi's handsome hair or his handsome face. Nailed it.]
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Yeah. We should come back here. It would be nice to stay out here a few days when we can fly or something.
[The big downside is that it takes a few days to get to the spot, but it's nice. Clearly not totally unused, but not so busy they couldn't get lucky and get it to themselves for a while.
That's not really the point now though. Ryan's talking about how perfect it is, but his head's clearly not in the conversation.]
You okay, man? You're acting... weird.
[So weird.]
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But then oh, no. He's been caught. He startles a little because he wasn't expecting Min to immediately call it out when they've been awkwardly dancing around each other all day, but it does get his attention back to him...not before shaking his head a little first though, as a reassurance and to force his head out of the gutter.]
Yeah, man! I'm fine!
[Except the boy who cried "I'm fine" suddenly realizes that means absolutely nothing after all the times he's done it when he wasn't.]
Really. It's not anything bad. I was just...I-I was thinking...y'know...
[That sentence could end so many ways, but ultimately Ryan blurts out the honest thought.]
...your hair looks really good like that.
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I didn't do anything with it.
[It's not even modesty. He's literally done nothing. He's not sure if that even feels like a compliment when he always spends time styling it so carefully. Is there any point if Ryan thinks it looks so much better like this?
But he can't deny he must be telling the truth. Even counting the moments over the day they've both pretended to ignore, this feels like the most flustered he's seen Ryan.]
Thank you...? I didn't see the point styling it by the time we were done swimming...
[He stares awkwardly into the water. It's too dark to see his reflection now, but it's not as though he doesn't know how his own hair looks. He doesn't get it.]
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Mail
Su cuy'gar, Min-Gi,
I hope this winter season finds you well and staying warm. Your ice Pokemon are enjoying it at least I'm certain. While holidays like Christmas are not something I celebrate back home in my own galaxy, I wanted to send you something to show my appreciation for your kindness. First is a traditional Mandalorian dessert that's called Uj'alayi. The recipe for which has been passed down in my family for many generations. I hope you and Ryan enjoy it. Secondly I've included a dragon fang that I thought might be useful for Beat or any other dragon pokemon you might have.
All this month I'll be traveling across Johto, so I don't expect our paths to cross again any time soon. So if I don't see you, I hope you and yours have an enjoyable holiday.
Ret'urcye mhi,
Bo-Katan