#black list the tag
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batwynn · 1 year ago
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I’m seeing a weird uptick in people commenting nasty stuff on people’s non-cat/dog pet stuff again and not so gentle reminder:
Your phobia or dislike of certain animals does not give you the right to harass and bully people who love and share them.
Use the blacklist tag like a normal human being, and leave people who love rats or snakes or bugs etc. the fuck alone.
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ikarakie · 10 months ago
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if a character means enough to me i will truly never stop thinking about them. i just retire them into a little back room in my brain and periodically bring them out to stare at them under a little light
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maxanor · 5 months ago
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QUEER CHARACTERS IN PERIOD DRAMA TELEVISION → pre-twentieth century [insp]
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robot-reference · 2 years ago
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:)
i wanted to do this shoot since i got the whole gang together but only got the chance now
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spliceyblues · 18 days ago
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Drew my favorite girls from all sorts of different mediums I enjoy
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kazz-brekker · 2 months ago
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i present: my extremely long and highly specific list of book recs for my fellow rings of power fans
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baelarys · 5 months ago
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⋆˚࿔𝐓𝐚𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝜗𝜚˚⋆
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The requests are open
You can make requests from the dragon house, I will leave below a list of requests that I accept and which I do not and my restrictions:
•you can make requests for any character
•I do smut, Except for characters who are minors
--------------------------------------------------
Hey guy, I just wanted to let you know that I accept requests for series like Game of Thrones or The Chronicles of Narnia as well as for The Umbrella Academy and others.
Characters I have written for
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Aemond targaryen
Under the golden sun Pt2
Under the golden sun
𝐋𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬
𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙩 𝙢𝙚
Thérèse
Thérèse pt2
𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞
𝐈'𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫...𝐈'𝐦 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫
𝐈'𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫...𝐈'𝐦 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 pt2
𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙣
𝙎𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩
𝕯𝖔𝖍𝖆𝖊𝖗𝖆𝖌𝖔𝖓
𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚
𝙅𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙨
𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶
Aegon ii targaryen
the shadow of the dragon
๛𝐌𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞
✾𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞✾
𝙃𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙢𝙚, 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨 𝙢𝙚
we get what we deserve?
RHAENA TARGARYEN
𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬
Lord cregar stark
THE WOLF
𝕮𝖔𝖒𝖊 𝖈𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖗
Helaena targaryen
𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨
Daemon targaryen
𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪 𝘢𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘺
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nevvn · 8 months ago
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outfit based on that upcoming event
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mikodrawnnarratives · 1 month ago
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how they treat each others siblings...
hey look i did get around to drawing this
Bonus:
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lover-of-mine · 10 months ago
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Buddie Countdown to Season 7:
58 days.
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thatsadguymochi · 4 months ago
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A request from my brother! He thought it would be funny for me to draw a bunch of anime girls next to Happy Chaos
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dribs-and-drabbles · 6 months ago
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The Thai Communal Wardrobe item #8
The Thai 🤝🏽 Taiwanese Communal Wardrobe Item #5
Our skyy 2 x The Eclipse ep 6:
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Step by Step ep 7:
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Dangerous Romance ep 10:
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Only Friends ep 12:
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Wandee Goodday ep 4:
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Wandee Goodday ep 4:
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Knock Knock, Boys! ep 11:
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The On1y One ep 6:
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Sunset x Vibes special ep:
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Peaceful Property ep 9:
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for @akkrosu and @lurkingshan 💙
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that-butch-archivist · 7 months ago
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"Kim/Clare" by Jean Weisinger
source: The Wild Good: Lesbian Photographs & Writings On Love, edited by Beatrix Gates
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lilyofthevalleyys · 11 months ago
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Regulus *writing in his poetry notebook*: Imagine loving someone so much you wish your soul would meld with theirs so you can become one
Regulus *writing*: For I cannot, as much as my heart desires to
James *reading it*: Awwwww. Hey. Wait.
James: Am I a joke to you Reggie >:(
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arvensimp · 5 months ago
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your father should know, pt. 4
Arven leaves you with something more than either of you bargained for when he goes off to Kalos for an internship, and through a series of miscommunications and heartbreak, he returns a few years later to learn that he actually has a child.
arven x fem!reader, nsfw content (in pt. 1), pregnancy (pts. 1, 2, & 2.5), angst, and stupid miscommunications
[part 1][part 2][part 2.5][part 3]
I'M HERE AGAIN THANKS FOR THE WAIT. SORRY ABOUT BEING THE WAY I AM LMAO please enjoy the next installment. it's not beta'd i'm out here livin like larry
~
[Group Chat: Team Star? More Like, Time To Go To HR AmIRight???]
WalkWalkFashionBaby: hey @ ParadoxChamp is this your man?
WalkWalkFashionBaby: [sent a photo]
[Image description: A man with wavy, longish ash blond and light brown hair, accompanied by a Mabosstiff, walking down the streets of Mesagoza. His hands are in his pockets, and he seems to be smiling.]
CassiopeiaYamahaSteinway: ?????????
CassiopeiaYamahaSteinway: !!!!!!!?!
CassiopeiaYamahaSteinway: yo wtf 
CassiopeiaYamahaSteinway: first of all that deadbeat isnt her man ortega
CassiopeiaYamahaSteinway: second
CassiopeiaYamahaSteinway: yea uh
CassiopeiaYamahaSteinway: @ paradoxchamp did you know he was back in town???????
CassiopeiaYamahaSteinway: third @ giacomo4pm momo if you don't change our nicknames in this chat back to normal I will absolutely dox you (again) and then change them back myself
Giacomo4pm: Can do, will do.
Giacomo4pm: Also, yo, damn, what's he doing back? I thought he fled the country or whatever.
--
Rika: so the sperm donor's here. Just came up the hill asking for you. Want me to send him packing?
Rika: yeah u do
Rika: well... I do.
Rika: also unrelated, holy sHIT, man's genes are strong. It's like I'm looking into a time machine for Basil's future.
Rika: except, you know. Basil will be way cooler and more handsome with your genes mixed in.
Rika: ❤️
Rika: plus no shitty facial hair.
Rika: or better facial hair.
Rika: anyway, I'm gonna eviscerate him.
Rika: love you. ❤️
--
You had been in Area Zero, gathering information on moth pokemon for Jacq when the director called, his usually placid voice laced with an edge of steel.
"Basil's father just stopped by." He says without preamble.
Your heart sinks, and you nearly lose your grip on Raidon, only barely managing to stay upright and drag the pokemon to a halt.
"His what?" You splutter, changing the phone to your other ear, as if you hadn't heard correctly.
"His father." The director repeats. "I know we have not...explicitly discussed Basil's paternity, but, well," He tsks lightly. "He showed up to speak to me."
Your head is filled with tarountula webbing. You feel your hearing go fuzzy, but somehow your hands direct Raidon up and toward the closest lab station. Out, out, out. Back to the school. Back to Basil, back to--
"I'm on my way to the entrance to Area Zero now." Clavell continues when you don't reply after a few moments. "I'll meet you there with Basil."
"What did he want?" You finally ask as you enter the station.
"I didn't give him the opportunity to chitchat."
You hum. "One second, Sir." You step into the transport pad.
A moment later, and Clavell is right in front of you, Basil tucked safely in his stroller, looking just as he did when you dropped him off this morning, save for his hair looking a little...off. You disregard it.
"Thank you so much." You sigh, hanging up the phone as Clavell gives you a sad sort of smile.
"Anything for you two." He says.
You kneel and try to fluff up your son's hair, but it has dried all crunchy from whatever happened during the day. He's getting a bath later, so you don't fret over it and just smile warmly to him, trying not to let your panic show.
"Ready to go home, sweet thing?" You ask him.
Basil nods, reaching with little hands for yours in his hair. "Mhmm!" He nods. "Ahso, Mama! I saw a big buddy! A big, BIG buddy!"
Clavell clears his throat and provides some context. "Mabosstiff said hello."
You look up to the director, knowing exactly which Mabosstiff he must mean. "Oh? Mabosstiff! That's...that's so great!" If your register is maybe just a touch too high, your smile too tight, it's only to maintain face in front of the boy to whom you turn back. "Were you kind? Remember how we always wanna be nice to new pokemon, yeah?"
"Uh-huh, uh-huh! He gived me a kisses! A lotsa kisses!"
So that's the crunch in his hair.
Oh, Mabosstiff...
"That's my sweet boy." You sigh, ruffling the mess before standing again to face the director.
"Thanks again. I'm gonna..." Another long exhale. "I'm gonna get us home."
Clavell nods. "You know how to reach me if you need something. And... Well, if you want me to intercede on your behalf, I'm happy to have words." He says stoically. "At times I felt I was the closest thing..." He gestures with his head outward toward the school. "He had to a parent in his life... I..." It's his turn to sigh. "I don't understand what happened there. How he could do what his own parents did to him? I'm sorry. If it's any consolation."
Your heart squeezes, and you distract yourself from the feeling by digging your nails into the soft foam of the handles of Basil's stroller. "Don't be. He made his choice, y'know?" You try to smile, but it's shaky. "He deserves to have the life he wants."
"He deserves a kick in the pants." Clavell responds. "Not that I'm an advocate for corporal punishment..." He adjusts his glasses in that grandfatherly way.
You laugh.
"Well, if he sticks around long enough, maybe you'll get a chance."
You hope he doesn't stick around.
Or...do you?
Do you even want to see him?
Either way, you don't want to linger on it in the lab.
"I'm gonna take this little one home."
Clavell nods. "Until later."
And then you're calling a cab to get back to your place, and Clavell is on his way back to the office.
While you're in the cab, you check your messages and sigh. Seems like Ortega caught a glimpse of Arven, and Rika is...fucking with him in some way or another.
You ignore your old classmates and opt to just text Rika.
Me: Got Basil from Clavell and we're on our way home rn/
Me: Love you too ofc 💖💖
A minute or so later, your phone buzzes. Rika again.
Rika: he's gone now
Rika: I put the fear of arceus in him if i do say so myself
You roll your eyes, smiling wryly. By now the cab is slowly descending to the space just outside your home, so you pocket the device and maneuver Basil in his stroller out of the cramped space and into the house.
Once he's unbuckled from his seat, he's bouncing around and grabbing at the attached bag, the one containing Buddy's pokeball, asking in broken syllables if they can play. 
It isn't a huge deal to let the pup out of the ball to play, so you hand it over to Basil, reminding him how to behave with his friend. At the same time, you also release Skeledirge to keep a watchful eye over the pair for a moment.
In the weeks since the Raisins Incident, as you've called it, you've come to the realization that your team can be of some assistance to you when you need a moment to yourself, when you're overwhelmed. Obviously Skeledirge isn't a parent. Neither is Raidon or Tinkaton or Screamtail or anyone else, but Skeledirge is smart enough to keep them safe for the precious seconds you need to breathe.
So you let the three alone in the living room and retire to your bedroom for a moment to collapse on the bed and gather your thoughts. You only need a few seconds. Just a few seconds of Mama time...just a few.
There's a sound at your open door as Basil toddles in, two pokemon in tow.
"Mama... Hungy?" He asks, clenching his shirt in tiny balled fists.
"Oh, sweetness..." You sigh, leaning down to pick him up and seat him securely on your lap. "You're hungry?" You press your face into his head, expecting its usual downy softness and the comfort of your child's scent, only to be met with that uncomfortable crunch of dried Mabosstiff slobber. Out of Basil's line of sight, your nose crinkles. "Let's see what we've got in the kitchen, yeah?"
"Toast? Toast 'n jellies?" He asks hopefully.
"I think we could do that, my littlest..." You respond with a smile, hefting your boy onto your hip as you trudge into the kitchen.
Of course, it would be just your luck that you're entirely out of oran jelly, the only jelly that Basil will eat right now. Thank you, developing taste buds and picky eating...
Maybe he won't notice if you try to give him pinap jelly instead this once?
You prepare his plate, the toast lovingly cut into four triangles, and you give him his sippy cup as well, but Basil only stares down unhappily at the food.
"Jellies?" He asks, his tiny button nose wrinkling.
"Yeah, Baby, I made you toast and jelly." Your heart clenches, anxiety rising, but you try to keep your voice chipper.
"Nuh-uh!" He insists, pushing the plate away.
"Oh, I'm sorry. We don't have the usual jelly. Do you wanna try this instead?"
Your son looks at you with wide eyes, rapidly filling with tears. His lower lip wobbles, and his brow furrows angrily. Times like these it's almost crazy how much he looks like...
No, focus!
"It's good, I promise. Wanna see? Mama will have some." You take a bite of one of the triangles and make a show of smiling. "Mmm! So yummy! It's really tasty!"
"No!" Basils yells in response, his tiny tears now falling. Hangry isn't a good look on the little guy.
"Ahhh, we gotta get you something to eat, huh, bud."
"Jellies!" He blubbers, only barely understandable through his tantrum. Buddy the Maschiff jumps up, placing his front paws on Basil's feet, trying to get at the food, and Basil complies, shoving it down to the pup.
You sigh. "Alright."
Buddy re-enters his ball, still chewing the bread, and you take Basil from his high chair, depositing him in his stroller.
"We'll go to the market and get your good jelly, okay? Super duper fast, then we'll come home and have a feast."
Basil is still crying, but the promise of his good jelly seems to placate him somewhat.
It'll be fine anyway. The market is only a short walk from your apartment building, and you'll only be out for a few minutes. 
The journey there is easy. Basil's stroller is one of those fancy transforming models that's great for all kinds of terrain while also being pretty light. It helps that the market is all outdoors, too. Less helpful is the fact that the stalls are fairly narrowly placed beside one another. At least it feels that way with all the people around, but it isn't overly cumbersome to navigate.
"Jellies!" Basil starts to whine as you approach the stall that he's come to learn has his favorite snack. He starts making grabby hands towards the jars along the table, and you attempt to quietly stop him.
"Yup! They've got your jelly here. Once I pay, you can hold the jar, if you like. Sound good?"
"I pick, I pick!" Basil insists, arching his tiny body as best he can away from the stroller's restraining buckle.
"Hey now," You press a soft but firm hand against him, guiding him back to his seat. "I'll let you pick, but you have to be polite. Say please and thank you to the salesperson, kay?"
Your son huffs, squirming a bit more before collapsing against the seat. "I be good. I good." He grumbles, and you're finally able to unbuckle him and take him up in your arms.
"Okay now. Can you ask for what you want?" You give the salesperson a thankful smile as you speak to Basil. They seem willing to be patient with your little one.
"Jellies!!!" He cries gleefully.
"Jellies, what, bud?"
"Jellies, pease!!!"
"There you go... We're gonna get some oran berry jelly." You tell the salesperson, already reaching into your bag with the hand that isn't carrying Basil. "Remember, these are glass, so you gotta hold it gently."
Basil carefully (or as carefully as a nearly-two year old can) chooses a bright blue jar, holding it in both of his hands.
Gently, so as not to jostle Basil enough that he drops his prize, you rearrange him on your hip, freeing an arm to reach into your bag, so you can pay the shop keeper. 
That's when you hear it. Not particularly loud compared to the hum of the crowd, but clear as day anyway.
The sound of your name being called gives you pause. You look around. It's not uncommon for you to be recognized, but you're already on edge. Hopefully it's just a fan or something?
You heard him. From the way you stopped and looked around, hiking the kid up just a bit higher on your hip as you distractedly tried to find the source of his voice, it was obvious.
It isn't an overly crowded market, but there are definitely enough people milling around that quick travel isn't really feasible from where he stands, particularly if he wants to get closer.
He calls your name again, louder this time. Before it had almost been breathless, filled with surprise, hurt, delight, just a tumultuous storm of emotions tearing through his stomach at the sight of you, the sight of his little carbon copy in your arms. Now he's really trying to get your attention.
You pinpoint him, and Arven waves, his bulky form helping to differentiate him from the rest of the crowd.
He... He can't read your face. You look like a deerling caught in Flash. He watches as you quickly shuffle, taking your boy (his boy?) away. Are... Are you for real fleeing from him? He calls your name again, trying to move closer to your retreating form, but it's no use. He makes it to the stall where you were before. He's positive of it because you left the stroller behind, and judging by the yelling from the salesperson, you made off with some product without paying. It's a no-brainer for him to lay down the cash needed, assuaging the anger of the clerk. Arven also grabs the stroller, giving a nervous laugh about how forgetful you must be before he starts trekking with it in the direction that you fled.
Except. He quickly realizes that's not really gonna get him anywhere. He has no idea where you live. Yeah, he knows where you used to live, almost 3 years ago, but that was basically a shoebox, a place to store your supplies while out and about as a champ. No way you're there still. Not with a kid. Right?
He eventually takes a seat on a bench close to the market, keeping the stroller next to him. You've gotta come back for it soon, right? Even then though, he has no idea how long it might take you to come back. 
Once again, Arven desperately wishes you hadn't blocked him way back when. He pulls out his phone, hoping to shoot you a text, on the off-chance that maybe you unblocked him at some point maybe?
Me: Hi, Buddy!
is all he types before seeing the tell-tale red messaging, showing that the number is indeed still blocked. Ugh.
Fuck, maybe...maybe he could use a pay phone or something? Just to tell you where your stroller is. But are there even any pay phones anymore?
As it turns out, they do still exist! There's one just on the edge of the market, so Arven makes his way over, pulling out his phone to copy your number once he's in the booth.
Except.
That's not a Paldean area code he sees. It's Kalosian. Yes, it's your name as the contact, and it's your final, nasty message to him there in the texts, but....it's not your number. There's not even a call history that goes back that far for him to try and grab the number that he just can't seem to remember entirely. He used to have it memorized, once upon a time, the two of you having been the other's emergency contact for so long, so he knows he's not crazy. That number...
He realizes on a second glance that the number is affiliated with Bon Applintit. It's got the same starting numbers after the area code.
What the hell happened to--
"Arven!!!!" The cry of his name startles him out of the thought, but he tucks it away for later. There's something very, very off going on, beyond the kid and everything. Which also??? Kinda absolutely bonkers. He's not gonna lie to himself. He also can't think too hard about it.
"Arven!" Nemona pulls him from that dizzying train of thought, as well as the phone booth. "I've been sent to just, uh...grab this from you..." She tells him, awkwardly trying to work her way around him to grab at the stroller's handlebars. "Ya know... Mama and Basil need it and all." She laughs a bit uncomfortably, continuing her attempt to pry the pram from him.
"Basil?" He says out loud, the name punching him harder than any Hitmonchan. His fists clench tighter around the bars.
Nemona slaps a hand over her mouth, allowing Arven to angle the stroller away from her. "Were you not supposed to know? Ah, gosh darn it!"
"I mean--!" He starts defensively. "I guess?! I never knew about...about any of this!" He gesticulates wildly. "When was anyone gonna tell me about Basil, huh? What the hell, Nemona!?"
She gives him a strange look, her lips pursed and brows quirked. "You... You really had no idea?" She crosses her arms, studying Arven's expression. "Hold on."
Nemona takes out her phone and starts texting. Arven does his absolute best to be patient, but with every passing second he's growing more agitated. 
"Okay, listen! Someone has GOT to tell me what's going on!" He eventually bursts. "Who IS this kid? Why does she have him? Why does... I mean, why does the kid look like me? Everyone's been treating me like shit since I got here, and none of it makes any goddamn sense! If anyone cares to hear MY side of the story, she blocked ME! And to my knowledge it was just over a few missed calls! I thought she was just overreacting! I had no idea about any of this!" His anger over it all, over getting shunned by his friends years ago, over Clavell’s insults, comparing him to his father, it all bubbles over, and he’s letting it out on Nemona. 
She hushes him with a sound and a not-so-placating finger, not bothering to even look up as she texts with a single thumb. "Hold on, hold on, hold on..." The patronizing nature of it all pulls a huff from Arven, whose grip on the handles of the strollers is so strong his knuckles go white.
His friend locks the screen and looks back to him. Her gaze is steady and serious, in stark contrast to her typical jovial self.
"Okay. I believe you, amigo. You say you've got no idea what's going on? I'm sorry to hear that. I really, really wish I could just tell you everything. Or at least, what I think is everything? But this isn't really my place. Not my mankey, not my circus. I'm just the mankey's fun tia, y'know?" She tries to lighten the mood a bit, but it absolutely falls short. "But. For real, this isn't the kind of chisme I enjoy. Not when it involves any of you. I'm talking to her now." Nemona shakes the phone in her hand. "I'm gonna see if she's willing to hear you out."
"Hear me out? She was the one--"
"That isn't how anyone here knows the story, Arven. At least what she's been able to bring herself to tell of it. I don't think any of us can claim to know all the details, but do you think she'd lie to make you look bad? Really?"
That seems to give Arven pause. At least long enough for Nemona to check the latest message from you. She smiles.
"She's on her way to the Treasure Eatery and will meet with you there. Be sure to bring the stroller."
--
Arven makes it to the restaurant before you. It isn't really surprising, given your detour to the league building to drop Basil off with Nemona for a bit. He ought to thank his lucky stars for Nemona pleading his case to you, saying he seemed to be genuinely confused and distraught over the situation. Otherwise you wouldn't have bothered. This is...exhausting to think about. Facing him. Trying to figure out what he wants. Why he came.
You won't lie, your initial thoughts as you rushed home with Basil tucked tightly in your arms, shielding him from his father, were rather dark. Was Arven here to try and take him? Did he think he could use your baby as some kind of prop in his social media videos? People go crazy for dads after all.
But, no. If you're honest with yourself (like Nemona urged you to be) that's not the man you knew. You couldn't imagine him becoming someone like that either, especially if he didn't want to be a dad in the first place... Beyond that, if you think rationally for a moment, there isn't a court in the world that would order your toddler son to another country without you.
No, this...this will be safe. It will be scary. To see him again. But. There's no need to think there's danger. It will just be kind of scary. And you can deal with scary, if only for a few minutes. 
"Hey." Your voice sounds drained as you drop your bag on your side of the booth and follow behind it to sit. You want to look at him. Look him in the eye and ask him what his deal is, but you just can't summon that brand of bravery.
"Hey." His tone isn't really discernable; you can't guess what he's thinking. "I, uh...ordered your usual drink. Or...What you used to order? If that's cool?"
Sure enough, there on the tabletop is your go-to drink from the Treasure Eatery, a ring of condensation already formed at the base of the glass, dampening the flimsy cardboard of the disposable coaster.
"Oh." It surprises you, that small bit of thoughtfulness. "Thanks." You take the glass in both hands and sip, letting the frosty cold of it ground you before you finally look up to see him.
He's... He's so much like Basil, it makes a lump form in the back of your throat. The nose, the eyebrows, the bow of his lips. You've seen them all every day for almost two years now in the face of your little boy; things you noticed and adored, now mimicked before you. Beyond that, he's still Arven. Time hasn't changed him too terribly much. For an adult, it hasn't been too long, so it's not like he's suddenly grey and withered before you or something. The biggest difference is how he pulls his hair back into a low ponytail, the patchy stubble around his cheeks and chin. He's either growing it out to try something new or just hasn't bothered with a razor for a while.
"Hey." You finally say. Truth be told, if not for your drink, your throat would've gone dry just seeing him again.
"So..." He starts, leading.
"So...you're back."
"Uh. Yeah. The plan was to spend the weekend clearing out my old storage....and...head back to Lumiose..."
"'The plan was?'" You ask.
"W-Well, I mean... I. I don't think I can just go back now, can I?"
You tense. Why did that feel like an attack? "I don't see why not. You didn't seem to think it was important to, you know, come back before now. What makes you think you have to stay?" Your tone comes off colder, more callous, than your aching heart would otherwise reveal, and it does its job, egging Arven onto frustration.
"I saw Clavell with Basil." He starts, pausing when he notices your flinch at the name. "Then I saw him with you. And... I mean..."
"Oh, so you saw him and now suddenly you care?" You ask, venom dripping more than you'd care to admit.
"What are you saying?!" He grates, volume only as loud as public decorum would allow in the bustling restaurant. "You... You have to be kidding, right? Of course I care! There's... There's a whole kid! Right? Where did he come from, huh? Cuz, like... Those don't just appear! And he's yours, right? He's gotta be! Like, obviously I see my...resemblance, but I see you in him, too!" That surprises you. No one ever found your features in Basil anymore, save for your mom, who made an off-handed comment once or twice about your eye shape or something.
Arven takes your silence as reason to continue "I mean... I've seen my photos from a young age... I..." His anger fizzles out into confusion as he goes on. "I don't want to make assumptions about...about us or what we were? But...looking at that kid, it's gotta be, right? That it was me? That I'm..." He can't say it out loud. "But why? Why didn't you say something? Why did you hide something like that? Cuz, like... I mean...even...even if he were someone else's... I mean, why wouldn't you have said something?"
"Hide it?!" The accusation shocks you into a response. "I never hid anything! I tried telling you for ages, back when you actually picked up the damn phone! You forced me into having to text you about my son! Then you blocked me! I have the receipts, Arven. I don't know what kind of delusion you've got going on in that head of yours, but I never hid my boy from you until I was given reason to! Why would I go out of my way to force a child upon a man who couldn't acknowledge him? Why wouldn't I keep my son safe from someone who didn't have the decency to be there for him? For me?"
Your tone has risen to a point where a few of the surrounding tables have hushed to listen in, and Arven can tell that prying eyes and ears are now on you both. He shuts his eyes and takes a deep breath, an attempt to steady himself, keep from getting more heated in public. 
"Bud." He begins, the old nickname hitting you like a sucker punch. "I never knew. I don't know what happened there, but I promise. I promise on Mabosstiff's life that I had no clue about any of this. I think there had to have been some kinda mix up..." You watch as cogs turn in his head. "I think... I'm thinking maybe something happened with my phone." He says, pulling the device from his pocket. "Like... Lemme just try and make this clear from my end. Okay? I got this text from you..." He starts, tapping the screen. "It was kinda mean, and when I tried to respond, I was blocked." He holds up the conversation for you to read.
>Hey! Sorry we keep missing each other lately! I hope things are okay? Are you staying warm? It's getting kinda cold here.
>can we not do this?
>Not do what?
>"This" i'm getting real fuckin tired of you bailing on me all the time now that your some hot shot kalosian celebrity guy
>Whoa. Where is this even coming from??
>you kno exactly where its coming from, arven. Youve been super shitty to me since you left paldea and it really hurts my feelings.
>I'm sorry? I've been busy here. It's been a lot getting used to a whole new place and a whole new language. I thought you understood that. I really am sorry though.
>y'know what? I dont really care at this point. Ive had enough waiting around for you to call me or text me back. there are guys here who can do better by me
>[One Missed Call]
>[One Missed Call]
>[One Missed Call]
>Are you being serious right now? You can't be. This is a joke?
>[One Missed Call]
>[The number you are trying to reach has been disconnected and is no longer in service.]
Your face pales and stomach sinks as you read it. "Arven, I--"
"I just noticed earlier when I tried calling you about the stroller. That isn't even your number. It's Kalosian. It's... I think it's affiliated with my company? I can't be sure yet, but..." He locks the screen and puts his phone down. "I know now that you never sent those messages, and that somehow I lost everything related to your contact. So...whatever you might've sent...it isn't here. I couldn't have seen it."
With a nearly shaking hand, you grab his phone and open it back up, still remembering his old passcode (Mabosstiff's Pokedex number). "Hold on..." You absolutely sent a message. Whether it was deleted or not... You check his blocked numbers, knowing that on your end, you've been blocked since back when you first told him about the pregnancy. "Yup..." You show him the screen. There among several spam numbers was your own. "You blocked me."
Arven opens his mouth to argue. "Or, I guess," You continue before he has a chance to interrupt. "I was blocked... somehow? I still... I don't see how this could have happened..." You set the phone down and fish out your own from your bag. "Here." It only takes a moment to pull up your old conversations. "You can read for yourself what I tried to tell you."
>Hey! I know this isn't ideal, and I really would have rather said it in person or over a face call or even just a regular call, but I think you need to know, and I'm having a really hard time verbalizing it to you. I'm sorry to do it this way, but it's better to say it now than not at all, right?
>I'm pregnant, and it's yours.
>I'm so, so, SO sorry! I promise I didn't mean for it to happen like this, and I'm not trying to like…baby trap you or something. I swear! You're my best friend in the whole world, and I'm so happy that you can go and live your dream in Kalos right now. But I just feel like you should know? Like you should have a say in what happens here? I'd love to talk to you. Do...do you want to do this? Because....well if you're willing I'd want to try this. With you. But I also know that you're living your dream right now, and I don't want to get in the way of that! I want you to be able to really embrace this new journey you're taking and learn and grow and do wonderful things! But I just wanted you to know, you know? Please don't hate me. Just give me a call when you have a minute, and we can figure this out. Okay?
. Then after several months, you’d sent a picture. Just a simple selfie of you, looking exhausted beyond belief, hair tamped down to your head with sweat, but still smiling. In your arms is a tiny bundle with a little purple hat, face looking squished and wrinkly and perfect. Arven knows exactly what he’s looking at before he’s read your final message.
>He's here. I don't know if you care, necessarily? But... I love him so much, and I don't understand how you couldn't, so I thought I should share.
You watch as Arven tears up, holding your phone like a tiny, precious creature. "I never knew. I... I swear I didn't." He swallows. "My...my team... They all have access to my phone. Something must've... Someone, I guess..." He shudders then looks to you, resolute. "I'll figure it out. But." Arven looks at your hand on the table then flexes his own, curling and uncurling it from a fist. "I... I wanted to know. I should've known. I'm so sorry this happened..."
"Me too..." The anger and fear and sadness you had churning in your gut this whole time slowly begins to still. You don't know how to feel exactly about the misunderstanding, but you know Arven. You know he isn't lying to you, and to hear him apologize for all of this... It's like a weight off of your soul.
Arven pauses, gathering himself then stares you in the eye. "I was supposed to leave tomorrow, head back. Fuck that. I need to be here. I need to see him.”
It's another punch to the gut, and on instinct, you respond. "No."
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wraenata · 6 months ago
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