[backdated to monday- AU]

[rivalappeared]

[There is a knock on Squirt's door.]

Comments

[punchwaves]

[He'd been on his bed, doing some sort of quiz in some sort of magazine. He sits up slightly.]

Who is it? You can come in.

[greenisaloser.livejournal.com]

[And here is your trainer, bursting in, covered in dark stains. He smells slightly of tree sap. He is also crying, because that sight alone isn't alarming enough.]

Squirt... !

[punchwaves]

[Oh dear, Squirt stands up abruptly and runs to his trainer's side.]

Green! What happened to you? [He grabs the other boy's arm and looks intensely into his eyes.]

SOME PLACE. SOME TIME.

[rocketstarter]

[Frankie was rather enjoying the weather outside. There was still a bit of nip to the air, but it was pleasantly warming up. The night was probably cold though. What a shame to think about anyone misfortunate enough to spend the whole night out there.

What a shame indeed.

He stood at the edge of campus, eyes lingering at the edge of the forest for a moment before he continued his walk.]

[greenisaloser.livejournal.com]

Squirt...

[Sorry Squirt, here comes a big bear hug. He's pretty torn up, and it sure was nice to see his Pokemon's face.]

Someone... killed the Ivysaur in the forest! I don't know what to do...

Re: SOME PLACE. SOME TIME.

[greenisaloser.livejournal.com]

[He was about to have an encounter. Green was actually on his way back to the forest, single flower in his hand. He was going to pick more, but then he thought Ivysaur might not have liked him picking flowers in the first place, so he settled on only one. He saw Frankie walking, sharp pang firing off in his chest at the sight of the other Ivysaur. He said nothing, at first.]

[rocketstarter]

[Ah, look at just who was walking towards him. Frankie definitely saw him, but he said nothing, silently picking out the details of his appearance. A troubled brow, sad eyes, a single quivering flower, and feet carrying him in the direction of the forest.

It was easy to tell that he had already been there, just as Frankie had known he would go. Really, they had both been so predictable.

As they were about to pass, he gave the trainer a polite nod.]

Good morning.

[greenisaloser.livejournal.com]

[Now that they were a little closer, Frankie would probably be able to see just how red those sad eyes were. They met Frankie's yellow ones for just a moment before they darted back down to the ground. He meant to nod back, but just dipped his head lower.]

... Morning...

[rocketstarter]

[This was the moment where Frankie had a decision to make. He could let the boy go as he was, sad and heartbroken. To an extent, that was satisfying.

But it wasn't quite enough. One could be sad and still grow to love the world. One could be sad and still whisper friendship to those who would bite them.

He wanted his hate.

Frankie put on a look of concern, pausing to reach out to Green's shoulder.]

... There's something troubling you.

[greenisaloser.livejournal.com]

[Green jumped slightly at Frankie's touch, before settling. He finally sighed after a moment of thinking, bringing one of his hands up to his eyes.]

Oh, Frankie... There was an Ivysaur living in that forest.

[Another deep breath. Did the Rocket Pokemon actually want to hear this? Was he actually going to let them talk for once?]

I've been bringing him food for a few days... and, um...

[rocketstarter]

[His look flickered for a moment. Frankie. Outside of his own team, Green's was the only group of people here that knew him by that name.

He turned his head to briefly look at the trees.]

Oh?

[Then he was watching Green again, very intently. He lowered his voice, speaking softly.]

Something happened...?

[greenisaloser.livejournal.com]

... He's dead.

[He dragged that hand down his face. Everything had moved so quickly. He supposed he never really got a chance to know Ivysaur, but still...]

He was beaten up really bad. It could have been the elements I guess but Pokemon can survive in the wild, so... I don't know!

[He looked at his shoes, voice kind of wobbly.]

I don't know what could have done something like that...

[rocketstarter]

[Frankie didn't say anything yet, apparently shocked and concerned over this revelation.

Instead he took a step towards the boy, pulling him close in a sort of embrace.]

[greenisaloser.livejournal.com]

[If Green didn't jump out of his skin before, he certainly did this time. This was Frankie. Who wouldn't even take food from him in private. Hugging him. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all. Another sharp pang in his chest, much like the one from earlier before he bolted from the forest, at the somewhat familiar feel of the humanized Ivysaur's arms around him. He let his forehead just kind of slump forward, unsure what else to do.]

I just wish I knew what...

[rocketstarter]

[He certainly seemed awfully sympathetic right now, didn't he? His ungloved fingers gently stroked the boy's hair, and Frankie softly shushed him.]

... The world isn't always beautiful, is it?

[Oh Green. Sweet, sweet Green. Look at you. Your tender heart was breaking over a pokemon that wasn't even yours. All that Ivysaur had done was attack people and cause property damage, but you still found it in your heart to mourn him.

He idly wondered if his heart was big enough to mourn a Pokemon like himself, knowing who he was. Somehow, he knew he probably would. Oh Green, you were far too kind.

How much would he break?

Frankie continued to stroke his hair comfortingly.]

Sometimes these things happen for a reason, even if they seem horrible... Life can be very cruel, just as people can be.

[aaa i'm so slow ;_; also this is totally a wartortle icon shhh.]

[punchwaves]

[Squirt holds onto Green tightly.]

What? [He loosens his grip to look into his eyes again.] I mean, what happened? Who would do that?

[Despite Squirt's distaste for another Pokemon getting close to his trainer, this is still rather unsettling news.]

[greenisaloser.livejournal.com]

I don't know... his flower was all ripped up... he was covered in sap.

[Green shudders, remembering the sight... and the smell...]

I have to wash myself off. Where's Spear, she's not teaching right now, is she?

[greenisaloser.livejournal.com]

[Somehow, even though something in the back of his brain was telling him that this was good, that he was actually breaking through Frankie's shell, he felt cold. He chalked it up to his feelings regarding Ivysaur, but that wasn't really it, was it?]

I don't want to believe that.

[rocketstarter]

[No, no that wasn't really it at all.

The comforting gestures were continuous. There there, Green, there there. Just keep your head down like that, and you'd never see the horrible smile that was on his face.

no don't hurt him please not him

Frankie's hand stilled, that smile dimming in his momentary confusion. What was...]

It's not good for you to turn a blind eye to the truth, Green.

[greenisaloser.livejournal.com]

[That was true. He knew that was true. It didn't stop him from doing it though. Just like how he was turning a blind eye to Frankie's true nature.]

... I can't help it. Everyone has a little good in them. They have to...

[He sounded unsure.]

[rocketstarter]

... I told you, that kindness will be your downfall.

Perhaps I can set things in stone for you. Would you like to know a secret?

[not him not him not him]

[greenisaloser.livejournal.com]

[Inexplicably, and intensely, the cold feeling in his chest seemed to shoot up to his throat. He couldn't talk, he didn't know why. He felt Frankie's fingers in his hair, knew that they were still locked in a sort of embrace, but... he didn't feel safe. Not at all. Wordlessly, not really wanting to, he squeaked in an affirmative response. Maybe he would tell him something about himself. It would be a learning experience for Green, understanding how a Pokemon can become so acclimated with Team Rocket. Then why the sudden feeling like he wanted to throw up? Was it just him or did that too sweet smell of Ivysaur's sap and pollen start seeping into his nostrils again?]

[rocketstarter]

[No, it wasn't just him. There was definitely a sweetness in the air around them. It was subtly different from Green's memory, but that was alright. Just relax. Frankie wouldn't have you struggling.

Didn't it smell so nice?

It didn't matter that there was no one else around. This was a special secret just for Green, and Frankie was going to keep it just between the two of them. The golden Ivysaur dipped his head down in an intimate motion, his breath soft against the trainer's ear as he quietly whispered:]

I killed the Ivysaur.

[greenisaloser.livejournal.com]

[He drew in a sharp breath at the revelation, a breath that would have been a sob if he was had any more breath in his lungs. Of course he had. Oh Arceus, Frankie murdered that Ivysaur. A wave of confusion, revulsion, anger, fear, sorrow, and curiously enough, disappointment washed over him in rapid succession. It took him a moment to actually work up to courage to do so, but he placed his hands on Frankie's chest and pushed. The pollen smell hung in the air, and it was almost like it was affecting his ability to separate from the humanized Pokemon. Stun Spore, he thought faintly. Just like Vinnie. And there was that name again. He had never called the forest the dead Ivysaur anything more than his species, so why did that name keep popping up?
Green squeezed his eyes shut, seemingly the only form of resistance he would be able to exhibit.]

... Why?

[rocketstarter]

[Frankie was honestly a bit surprised that Green had worked up enough nerve to do anything at all. That was good. While he might have been pushed from the embrace, Frankie held his ground. He regarded Green's reaction closely, his expression somewhere between solemnity and satisfaction.]

I want you to hate me.

[greenisaloser.livejournal.com]

[Green opened his eyes, making a point to look straight into Frankie's yellow ones. There was something strange in his, almost a look of defiance hidden by that still present film of softness. Whether he wanted it to or not, the experience had changed him. He didn't want to. But it was unavoidable-- Frankie was starting to get what he wanted. For now, Green's response would be the same, but with a different feeling.]

Why.

[rocketstarter]

[He met the stare head on, holding it. The change was there. Subtle, growing. He could see it. No, it was more than that.... He could feel it.]

You're a distraction.

[greenisaloser.livejournal.com]

[He hiccuped, tears starting to find their way to his eyes again. The gaze remained though. He could feel the numbness start to wear off of his muscles, and reared back a little farther from the Ivysaur. There was a new edge to his voice, that would sound familiar to anyone who knew the other him.]

I don't get it. Why am I a distraction. I said I would stop bothering you. You didn't have to kill anyone.

[rocketstarter]

[On the surface, Frankie's confident demeanor remained unchanged.

But if it were possibile to look any deeper, something subtle shifted at the sound of his voice. There was a slight hitch to his breath. What was this. It was a bizarre feeling of... familiarity. Odd. It went along quite well with all of the strange thoughts and emotions that had driven Frankie forward with his actions in the first place. would you be happier with someone else

He simply couldn't explain the answer to him, because it wasn't anything that Frankie understood. please don't cry Things that he did not understand had to be eliminated. i'm sor--]

It's cute that you still think that matters.

Tell me. Can you still see it? [That smile came back.] The good you saw in me.

[That sweet little Bulbasaur's been dead for years.]

[greenisaloser.livejournal.com]

[And here was where the real differences between this Green and the other could be seen. Though there was an instinct to growl you make me sick and spit in the offender's face, he... simply couldn't help himself. His gaze grew weaker once again, and his eyes dropped down towards the floor. No. He... this was a Pokemon just like any other. It was an unforgivable offense. It was a cry for help. If anything, just the satisfaction of refusing to give Frankie what he wanted would be enough.]

I don't hate you.

[rocketstarter]

... Then you're a bigger fool than I gave you credit for.

[Saying Frankie was surprised would have been a lie. Honestly, he had been expecting something like this scenario.

The surprise here was rolling down his cheek. Frankie froze, brushing his fingers over it. He stared down at the clear liquid, his mouth pressing into a thin line. This was not anticipated. Frankie had no idea what to do with this. He had no idea what to do with the tightening in his chest. He had no idea what to do about how difficult it suddenly was to swallow.

Suddenly, for reasons he could not fathom, he wanted nothing more than to walk away from the trainer before this could carry on any farther. ... And so he would do exactly the opposite, because that wasn't Frankie and Frankie was quite tired of this strange game.

The Pokemon closed the space between them, reaching out to take Green's face in his hands and lift his gaze. Frankie pulled him closer and... For a moment his expression flickered as a conflicting wave of desperation surged through him. This wasn't what he wanted this wasn't what he wanted at all just leave him alone please anything but--

He kissed him full on. It was bizarrely intimate, and the passion alone would have made it unbearably awkward even without all of the nausea. He filled his mouth with an atrocious, rancid bitterness. It was an effective way to make sure Toxic's poisons took full effect.]

[greenisaloser.livejournal.com]

[The first shock came with the tear. Green could feel a very strong pounding in his chest in the sight of the tear rolling down Frankie's face, accompanied with an image of holding the humanized Ivysaur in his arms. Instead he took a step backwards. He had to go. Everything was confusing, and the Stun Spore had worn off entirely by this point. Frankie had killed Ivysaur. Frankie was crying. He didn't know how to feel. But before he could make any more distance between them, Frankie closed it, grabbed his face, and that's when the second shock to his system came.

Frankie had killed Ivysaur. Frankie had been crying. Frankie was kissing him.

Green could feel an involuntary heat rise to his cheeks at the intimate gesture, could feel more than hear a whine emerging in the back of his throat. No, no he didn't want this. He'd never even kissed any one...

However, any sensation at all was whited out at the first taste of poison.

He struggled, the horrendously sour, sharp sensation of the toxic sludge filling his mouth, his nose, his senses. His eyes watered, both from pain and just the rancid nature of the attack. He pushed Frankie again, but he had better believe that this time he meant it. Stumbling backwards, Green whined as he held his throat. He spit out the sludge, but he knew as well as anyone that it was an empty gesture. He had already swallowed some.

More coughing. He looked up from where he was doubled over at his attacker, wheezing. He attempted to talk, but his vocal chords felt like they were burning out of his body. All he managed to get out was "Bul--" before he started coughing violently again.

He wasn't really sure what he was trying to say, but for some reason, he felt he had to try and say it.

[rocketstarter]

[Frankie took a steadying step away from him after the shove, wiping the sloppy trail of toxic saliva on the back of his hand. This was perhaps overstepping the boundaries of power than Red let him have. Perhaps the boss would be annoyed at this turn of events. Then again... Frankie supposed they had both known it was only a matter of time before something like this happened.

He watched the results of his deed manifest in the boy, and finally felt a smug satisfaction. There was no reason to feel these odd conflicts anymore. The pain, the misery, the repulsive realization of what had happened. Frankie was going to revel in it.

... But the tears kept falling from his eyes on their own accord.

They just kept going, endlessly. It made for an awfully odd picture. There he was, the scary and intense enforcer, watching someone enter the road to death with venom in his eyes and... a comical outpouring of tears. What was even.

The flower that Green had brought was forgotten in the grass. Frankie was reaching for it when Green tried to say something. The rasped syllable hit the Ivysaur harder than anything else possibly could and he felt his blood chill. Why. Why was this... He bit back a growl, clenching his fingers around the flower's stem.

He'd had enough of this. Content that they were done there, Frankie gave Green one last, long look. Idiotic. Pathetic. This was over. The pokemon turned away from him, falling back onto the path he had been walking as if the encounter had never happened. The tears had stopped their ridiculous antics at long last, and Frankie looked down at the flower with clear eyes.

Slowly, he picked each petal one by one, letting them fall to the ground behind his steps.

...He likes me. He likes me lot. He likes me. He likes me not...]