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"You've reached Steven Stone. Leave a message, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can."
( audio ) ( video ) ( text ) ( action )
"You've reached Steven Stone. Leave a message, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can."
( audio ) ( video ) ( text ) ( action )
text.
the kind of adult even the bubbler wouldn't send up into space. ]
You would say something like that.
[ reasons why adrien came to him, after all. he is a grown gentleman and adrien is simply a bitty gentleman. ]
Is it okay if you come over?
text.
I'm on my way. Text me your address.
text.
but adrien texts his address shortly after, feeling much less tentative about the whole thing. ]
Hopefully one of these days I'll be able to do a favor for you instead.
Thanks!
[ always helpin' him out... (also, adrien resists the urge to ask steven to bring skarmory.)
time to bribe plagg into hiding with camembert. ]
action.
instead, he'll have a much more travel-sized companion floating by his side when he knocks at adrien's door. ]
action.
[ and when adrien opens the door to let steven in, that welcoming smile of his is going to turn into the standard curiosity-with-hints-of-wonder towards that travel-sized companion.
sure, he loves the cool pokémon... but he hadn't quite expected steven to actually bring one.
this is a new one, too...! ]
—And Metagross Junior?
[ oh god it's the first thing he thought of ]
action.
Well... you're not wrong, but there's a little more to it than that. This is a Beldum - Metagross' pre-evolved form.
[ it's differently coloured than metagross as well, but that red eye and basic structure is definitely unmistakably like the behemoth that adrien had seen before. this little one also seems to be much more social, getting all up in adrien's grill and chirping inquisitively at him. are you a new friend? ]
action.
not that its a bad contrast. he laughs a little. ABSOLUTELY NEW FRIEND. ]
Nice to meet you, Beldum. I'm Adrien. [ ... this is where he'd raise his hand for a handshake, but beldum doesn't have hands. can he pet floating metal even if it's cute??? he has no clue.
a glance at steven, then back to beldum. ]
So, is Beldum going to grow up to be like Metagross?
action.
while beldum certainly does not have hands, it'll lean into and nuzzle happily into anything remotely resembling an open hand from adrien. hi, smaller human! ]
With time and training, yes. But this Beldum is still quite young, so it'll take a while before it reaches that point.
action.
because adrien's definitely got an open hand, and he's definitely going to take that nuzzling with some very poorly masked excitement. like, the makings of a dumb goofy grin on his face? eyes probably sparkling a bit. it's, like, the mini version of that badass majestic floating rock steven rode on and it likes him. maybe. he's petting a floating rock-badass-in-training. ]
I bet you'll get super strong.
[ all hush-hush to mini-metagross (like steven can't hear, but adrien's aware he can). after, he clears his throat a little to collect himself. ]
Er... Sounds like there's a lot to know about them. How long does it usually tak—
[ he's getting distracted. he could sit here all day talking about pokémon. adrien blinks, then, sheepishly: ]
—I mean, you didn't come here to tell me all about that stuff. [ tell him tho. still he has to remember his agreste manners. so. ] Do you want some tea, or water? Before I ask for your help with this one specific thing...
action.
steven can't help but smile as he watches the scene - the boy is a natural with pokémon. even if he isn't a trainer, it's always nice to see pokémon and humans getting along. ]
We can talk about it later if you're still curious. [ oh, but he could definitely go for some tea. ] If you'll join me for a cup, tea sounds nice.
action. 1/2
... just kidding! adrien nods at both of those statements—that hint of enthusiasm showing again—gesturing for steven to take a seat at the table further into the apartment. he can do tea!! and he would definitely join Cool Adult for it, so: ]
Give me a second!
[ or, well, more than a second, but he'll go set that up. it takes a moment for adrien to come back with two cups, and then he slips away again to return with a plate of dessert. ]
I don't know if you like blueberry cheese tarts, but I had some—
action.
god, he knew he should've chosen the croissants instead. but the tarts looked so delicious?! how was he supposed to wait until steven was out of here to eat one??
(and already he can imagine plagg going "my cheese, adrien, you gave him my cheese!") ]
... So I thought I'd share?
[ just
going to casually
not touch on that at all.
yyyyeaaahhhhh. ]
action.
he does take that seat, but he heard that sound, too. adrien doesn't seem to be addressing it, but it's caught his attention. even beldum perks up, looking curiously to where it thinks it heard it. ]
Did you hear that?
action.
he really tries to seem as neutral as possible, which is fortunately. somewhat easy. given his IMMENSE EXPERIENCE with awkward situations (too bad he doesn't realize his bullshit acting doesn't work on people who are not fifteen!).
don't look towards the couch don't look around the stack of books nested on the floor beside the couch, which isn't really visible from their position but was definitely. audible. and he's going to now pretend wasn't. ]
... Hear what?
[ yes
nailed it!! ]
action.
[ it was small and muffled, but definitely a "thump". beldum is floating closer to the couch to look at it curiously, but... no response. steven watches it, but eventually turns back to adrien. ]
...I guess it doesn't matter. I'll take you up on the blueberry cheese tart, though.
action.
as he serves steven a tart.
beldum, however, may notice a little black antenna peeking out from the book pile if it looks there, so maybe adrien shouldn't be fully relaxing yet. ]
That might've been in my room. I was moving things around... I think I left some books on the edge of my bed.
[ mhm.
... he'll sit down now too. ]
action.
[ he's joking... right? it sure sounded like he was, but that small smile might say a little different.
anyway. thanks for the tart, he'll be taking that. ]
So, tell me about this one specific thing you need help with.
action.
right. adrien returns the smile tentatively, as if insinuating that the possibility of that "something else" is odd and unnecessary!!!, before moving on! ]
Uh. It's...
[ and this time he's visibly more shy about the whole thing, not due to NOT PRESENT SECRETS!! and more like not present life skills. he fiddles with the handle of his cup, then raises his hand to lightly brush the back of his head when he finally lets out a quiet: ]
... Cooking?
[ help ]
action.
[ he repeats it, just trying to make sure that he heard it right. cooking? like... making food? by yourself?
for once, his expression looks a little... blank. ]
action.
—no, he picked the wrong adult—
just kidding, he thinks this must be so basic and easy for steven that it's a ridiculous, flatlining thought for him that adrien doesn't know such a SIMPLE!! THING!! ]
... Cooking. [ he repeats after steven repeats with a nod, trying to find the words to say. ] I know, I should know, but—
[ not seeming put together in front of adults you kind of admire is the worst
he can run up a building do you wanna see him run up a building ]
action.
he honestly can't help but laugh a little, but it's paired with a shake of his head and a sigh as he exasperatedly runs his fingers through his hair. ]
No, no, I understand completely.
[ he's not laughing at adrien, but at his own incompetence. fuck his hot gay rich life. ]
Though I'm afraid I'll have to be honest with you... When it comes to that, you and I are probably at the same level.
action.
wait what. hello, steven, meet muted look of surprise. ]
We are?
[ senpai? ]
action.
It's not something I like to flaunt, but my upbringing was quite... affluent. Cooking wasn't something I had to do out of necessity; I never did take the time to learn as a result.
[ he lives off of lean cuisine and restaurant food. this is your role model, adrien. ]
It's a little embarrassing, isn't it?
action.
but, no, just give adrien a moment to let that settle. okay. affluent. upbringing. in other words, steven's situation is... exactly like his.
now it's his turn to laugh lightly. not at steven, of course—it was just. something like relief? and feeling insanely silly? ]
No, no way. [ shaking his head, as he turns a little pensive. ] Maybe that's even better. If you're okay with it, I guess we could learn together? Since, that's... actually, that's why I didn't learn either.
[ stuck in rich jail. he pauses again, then admits: ]
... I'd probably feel a little more comfortable messing up if it was with you.
[ he also fully expects steven to just not be on board because that is how his life goes so he's just cautiously optimistic right now. ]
action.
but... oddly, that does make him feel a little better about all of this. they're both feeling relieved, and he's actually finding it easier to... relate to adrien? is that what's happening here? ]
So we have more in common than I initially thought. [ huh. that idea has his smile becoming a little more genuine. ] And I am a man of my word. I did say I would help in any way that I could, didn't I?
[ in steven-talk, that's a yes. ]
action.
action.
action.
action.
action.
action.