IC: @victory_road Pokégear inbox

[bestswordmaster]

Sylvain said I needed to record something to tell you to leave a message, even though if you're bothering to message me in the first place you already know what you're supposed to do, so this is pointless. So...leave a message, I guess. Maybe I'll get back to you. Maybe I won't.

[beep]

Comments

[nastyboy]

[And that's around the time that Dimitri's hand enters the screen to gently envelope the side of Sylvain's head.]

[Gently. To gently start pushing him to the ground.]

Sylvain. Jose. Gautier.

He just spoke of how he was flustered at being approached by you for a kiss, and then explained how good you are, better than what your family speaks.

There is one other option your mind refuses to let you consider, an option besides friend, stranger, and enemy. You know what it is.

[bestswordmaster]

[Felix is back to staring at the screen, wondering how the hell Sylvain even came anywhere close to a conclusion like that. He sits there agape until he's startled by an arm reaching into the frame to ...very slowly push Sylvain over?

...is that Dimitri? Was he listening to all of that? Felix splutters, and if his face was getting red before, now it's practically a tomato.]

Sylvain! Why didn't you tell me he was there?

[Felix puts the Gear down for a minute, vanishing from the screen to bury his face in his hands and let out a muffled groan of mortified frustration into his gloves as the camera points at the sky. The Purrloin and the Espurr make sure that the other two have something to look at, though, as the second Felix puts it down they've taken his place on the screen with disapproving looks.

Then they can hear Felix shooing them out of the way before he picks the Gear back up again and looks into it, ears still red. He goes on like there was no interruption.]

And how are you possibly being denser than Dimitri right now?

[gautsome]

[Sorry, Sylvain can't come to the phone right now. Whether or not Dimitri is holding him against the ground doesn't matter -- Sylvain remains there. The dirt is pleasantly cold against his burning hot face. It makes sense, now that it's spelled out to him, but in the moment --

Sylvain always got so caught in the moment, rather than using his brain to actually think. It's what his friends always seemed to gripe about.

He hears Felix speaking, but part of him wants to just stay here on the ground. He isn't sure how long it takes for the forest floor to cover something normally, but maybe here in the Pokemon world, it's a quicker process.

He waits for a second. Then another. When he feels no lichen growing on his skin, he resolves himself to his fate. He sits up, brushing a stray leaf from his hair -- always with the leaves.]

If Dimitri was not here, I would not be here. [Right now, Dimitri is the one serving as Sylvain's wingman. It's a terrible twist of fate, really. He's surprised he hasn't told him to offer Felix a knife.

... Though, now that he thinks about it, this is probably the one situation where a knife might actually help.]

Like you said. I'm used to hearing poison -- and not just from my family. [He's heard it long enough, that the voice in his own head provides the running commentary now.

He lets out a breath, slow and steadying.]

Till we die together, right?

[nastyboy]

[When Sylvain seems to cool his head, Dimitri eases up as well, and quickly vanishes from out of view of the camera. But not before a quick-]

I apologize, Felix. But I... wanted to make sure you would talk.

[He'll just... scoot away now.]

[bestswordmaster]

[When Sylvain doesn't come back, Felix starts to feel cold all over. Was that the last straw? Is this it? Did he manage to chase Sylvain away despite his best efforts? He closes his eyes and waits for something to happen. Either Sylvain will return and say something, or...or the numbness that he's somewhat expunged from his heart recently will reassert itself in an instant.

When he does hear Sylvain's voice again, his eyes flutter open as he listens, motionless. Finally, his face relaxes into a smile as a gentle warmth spreads through him, chasing the cold away.]

...right. So...come back? Please. Just for Dimitri's match, and then...I'll go wherever you want.

[gautsome]

[Sylvain doesn't blush. That is absolutely outside of his charming persona. He is the one always in control, and always sweeping people off of their feet.

But Felix's smile? He has to make an exception for that. He doesn't really have a choice in the matter, when it comes down to it. His heart twists and flips within his chest, sending heat splashing over every inch of him. He has to look away for a split second, focusing eventually on Dimitri's retreating form.]

Wherever I want, huh? Sounds like you will be going holiday shopping with me all through Violet tomorrow. And you have to carry all of my bags.

[bestswordmaster]

[Is Sylvain...blushing? Sylvain? Felix is pretty sure he's never seen that before--at least, not since before the academy. And...he did that. Not some girl, not Claude, Felix.

And then Sylvain opens his mouth again and Felix snorts, rolling his eyes.] Don't push your luck. The only thing I'll be carrying is the burden of embarrassment over your spending habits.

Though there is something I wanted to find, as well, while we're out. [Knowing Dimitri's probably still listening, he doesn't explain further.]

[gautsome]

Just as long as you don't try shopping for my gift. I want to be surprised.

[Sylvain's shoulders loosen. The weight that he's held there, not just since the days spent in the woods, but before that, shakes free finally. There isn't a definitive answer to anything -- what they are, if not best friends, still remains vague. But it's a step in the right direction. Sylvain knows now that he's not alone in his feelings.

He breathes out, smiling warmly as he does.]

I'll see you soon, Felix. [And, like he's always said to Dimitri -- ] Don't miss me too much.

[bestswordmaster]

Bold of you to assume you're getting a gift. Or that I'll miss you.

[But he's smirking, and clearly not serious. The uncertainty lingers, and he doesn't like it, but...it's like Claude said, he supposes. They'll figure it out together.]

Just hurry up and get back here.

[gautsome]

Hurtful! And here I was thinking real hard about what kind of gift I could get you. Guess I'll forget whatever ideas I have.

[For all intents and purposes, he should end the conversation there. But Sylvain... always knows how to put his foot in his mouth. Or in this case, his hand. And the hand is only going up to his mouth and --

He blows Felix a kiss, a little too much cheese and silliness to be too serious but. Judging by the still lingering flush on his cheek, it's probably more serious than the usual efforts he gives.

In any case, the video clicks off after that.]

[bestswordmaster]

[Felix has no idea what to do with that, and is still looking at the screen with confusion and embarrassment and a hint of alarm when the screen goes blank. He mutters 'you idiot' at it fondly, then pockets the Gear and starts back in on training with his team.]