There's people staring at them now. At least they slowly return to their meals when Maxie calms down a tad.
"Thanks."
Archie orders, though his choices are limited to only a handful of options due to his stomach's sensitivities. But hey, at least they make gluten and lactose free malasada nowadays. It's still fried, but... hopefully it wouldn't be too bad. He adds a regular, cinnamon sugar coated malasada to the order for Maxie.
When he receives the two doughy treats, he promptly shoves Maxie's into his hands.
"Let's walk and talk."
Cue him just walking off. No need for people listening in. When they're away from the busy streets, he finally speaks up.
"My phone was busted. Didn't have materials to fix it up until today." He holds up a little bag with spare parts. "This is actually the first day I'm outside on my own in months."
❝ since when— ❞ he snaps again. ❝ i'm a volcanologist! i study volcanoes! use your head! ❞
but ‘since when’? one week ago. only within the last year has Maxie finally been permitted to leave Hoenn, and for research and collaboration purposes only. so here he was now, in Alola, to learn more during the next several weeks before returning to the strict oversight awaiting back home.
the running into Archie bit was entirely unintentional.
❝ can it wait?! ❞ incredulous, the Magma leader's tone remains sharp, irritated. yet, after a second's pause, the accusatory finger is lowered and Maxie scoffs. ❝ you've already kept me waiting for three weeks, i can wait a few more minutes … ❞
^ Completely unaware of any weird plans nor anything else 'cause he's in snooze town.
"...Until I feel better?"
"BWAHAHAHA!!" So he was planning on starting shit with him when he felt better? Now that's funny. No, really, it hurts to laugh but fuck he's doing it. At this rate he's gonna pop his stitches.
"Lookin' forward to it." Archie grins, leaning a little closer. Been a while since he had a good fist fight, and a laugh, too.
"...I guess I can't force ya t'like me, tho'. Jus' felt like ya'd understand me a bit. Even if I'm a merfolk."
"Daaamn, really? Who would've thought bein' forced to be nice doesn't woooork."
Hey, he's shit at that. Who gives a shit. As far as he knows, he's not yelling or insulting him, so that's nice enough.
"Dude, don't flatter yourself. I don't hate ya.
Just don't like ya." a shrug "Simple as."
For no reason at all, of course. ...at least until he offers to punch him?!
"--huh??? Nah, hey-- nah. I promised Plumes I wasn't gonna start shit until ya feel better, and I'm fuckin' not taking a punch in the face and just sit here like, hoh, thank you for the free therapy!"
Aaaand they're rolling back. He might've underestimated the pain that still lingered in his body. Archie winces briefly, but he's not gonna let it stop their fun.
Normally he'd continue fighting, but his side is screaming at him to Not Do That right now... So naturally, he attempts it again-- --Yep, Guzma's still on top after a failed attempt. Okay, let's try something else, then. A hand reaches for Guzma's back, and he digs in his nails, returning the favour.
Oh this is happening alright, in his own goddamn terms--
"-fuck!"
…nevermind I fucking guess. Guzma remained stunned for half a second before letting out yet another sgrunt, the hand on Archie's jaw tightening as he--
…yeah, he's trying to roll then over again - one hand on the former Aqua's face, another sliding under his shirt, nails dragged on his back, mouth a little too occupied on the other's to saw anything sarcastic.
Alola's weirdest wrestling match.
He's just tossing a Pokétoy through the hole in the wall of his guest room. His Mightyena is fetching it each time, happily wagging his tail.
@livingshinycharm asked: " HEY YOU!" She is there, but no fight, she brought him a cupcake.
"Finally someone who doesn't wanna fight!"
He's eyeing the cupcake, but...
"...What's the ingredient list?"
@aelirus liked for a starter:
Okay the aura of this dude is kinda off. Archie for once doesn't really know where to start. "...Nice uh. Crobat. Got me one o' those too."
He coughs nervously.
hi my brain is full of epic the musical lately.
anyway ruthlessness from epic, specifically for aquaverse archie
OH HELL YEAH!!!
I've also been listening to Epic the musical lately handshakes u I have just not listened in order yet oop
BUT YEAH I CAN SEE IT!!!
Why is he still thinking about the other day...
✱˚。⋆ ↪ 𝐀 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝑻𝑬𝑳𝑬𝑷𝑯𝑶𝑵𝑬 . ( a collection of texting prompts. feel free to change phrasing. potentially mature content within. )
[ TXT ] : why are you still awake?
[ TXT ] : hey, where did you go?
[ TXT ] : it's getting bad again.
[ TXT ] : guess i'll just sit in bed. alone. by myself.
[ TXT ] : you can't ignore me forever.
[ TXT ] : i can't stop thinking about you.
[ TXT ] : just saw i called you last night. how'd that go?
[ TXT ] : i really need someone right now.
[ TXT ] : we need to make plans asap.
[ TXT ] : have you seen the news?
[ TXT ] : you were blackout drunk.
[ TXT ] : testing to see if you blocked my number...
[ TXT ] : do you know anything about doing stitches?
[ TXT ] : just please let me know you're okay.
[ TXT ] : did you forget we had plans?
[ TXT ] : i know you see my messages, your read receipts are on.
[ TXT ] : meet me at [ location ], it's important.
[ TXT ] : do you need comfort, to vent, or a solution?
[ TXT ] : is there anything i should bring?
[ TXT ] : call me. please, it's important.
[ TXT ] : i can't sleep.
[ TXT ] : have you eaten today?
[ TXT ] : you are always going to be my priority.
[ TXT ] : i haven't seen you around in awhile.
[ TXT ] : i had a dream about you last night.
[ TXT ] : the names are gonna get mean if you don't text me back.
[ TXT ] : at the risk of sounding cliche, what are you wearing?
[ TXT ] : just say the word and i'll drop everything.
[ TXT ] : do you seriously not remember?
[ TXT ] : come to the front door.
[ TXT ] : have you been drinking?
[ TXT ] : how do you feel after last night?
[ TXT ] : are you up? please be up.
[ TXT ] : you looked beautiful today.
[ TXT ] : i have so much to tell you.
[ TXT ] : no one's heard from you. are you okay?
[ TXT ] : who is this?
[ TXT ] : are you taking care of yourself?
[ TXT ] : thought i'd reach out and see how you're doing.
[ TXT ] : i miss the taste of your lips.
[ TXT ] : that kiss was really nice.
[ TXT ] : stop acting so high and mighty.
[ TXT ] : i left my [ item ] at your place.
[ TXT ] : are we still fighting?
[ TXT ] : i need help and i can't go to the hospital.
[ TXT ] : are you thinking about me too?
[ TXT ] : call me, i wanna hear your voice.
[ TXT ] : i don't want to talk to you.
[ TXT ] : what do you have to lose?
[ TXT ] : you don't have to ask, i'm already on my way.
[ TXT ] : i want to take a nap on you.
[ TXT ] : even if you called 6 months later at 3am, i'd answer.
[ TXT ] : what's my name in your phone?
[ TXT ] : how's trying to forget about me going?
[ TXT ] : i have nobody else to ask.
[ TXT ] : what do you mean you're at the hospital??
[ TXT ] : sorry, i think you have the wrong number.
[ TXT ] : good morning! you up yet?
[ TXT ] : do i sense sarcasm in your tone?
[ TXT ] : you start your day at 2pm?
[ TXT ] : you need MY help?
[ TXT ] : stop texting me.
[ TXT ] : i'll leave that up to your imagination.
[ TXT ] : are you asking me to sneak out?
[ TXT ] : when will i see you again?
[ TXT ] : if you come over, i'll order us a pizza.
[ TXT ] : are we ever going to talk about it?
[ TXT ] : can you come get me out of here?
[ TXT ] : you mean like ... a BODY - body?
[ TXT ] : it's just been one thing after another lately.
[ TXT ] : forgiving and forgetting is harder than it sounds.
[ TXT ] : i want your legs wrapped around my head.
[ TXT ] : call me when you wake up.
[ TXT ] : what are you doing that's more important than me?
[ TXT ] : i'm out of town right now.
"I'd say hi to them, I s'pose."
If they wanted to see him, sure. In the end, this talk's just making him dizzy. And kinda warm? He's sweating bullets-- Ah. Fever's back. Yippie. No wonder he's being so vulnerable with this other Team Leader.
"...I want t'be a better guy. An' I think I am, if even jus' a li'l bit, but..." He leans back against the backboard of the bed. Whew. Dizziness isn't going away.
"If they're thriving withou' me... Who am I to interfere 'gain? They deserve t'move on from me, and all the shit I did."
…shiiit, fuck you, man. Don't get relatable. Frowning, Guzma lifted an eyebrow as the other kept on rambling about needing a good beating and and past adventures with his Team.
"Well fuck. Ya ain't even gonna tell 'em hi, now?
I dunno. Nobody's forcin' ya apart, right."
Oh, how hypocritical of you, Guzma.
Indie AU/HC-based Archie from Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, written by Nikki
140 posts