originshipping ft. nata

[rainbadge]

<sub>[ after this fantastic occurrence—

Wallace half expected Steven to shuffle along beside him so they can get going. Get going where, precisely? Wallace wasn't too specific with where they were heading, but Steven's hesitance caused him to pause and look over his shoulder. ]</sub>

What's the matter? Surely you don't plan on spending the rest of this fantastic evening by yourself, do you?

_{[ just what.. is he insinuating here.
what is he ever insinuating anytime anywhere? ]}

Comments

[geophile]

[ oh, he definitely overanalyzes. while holding hands certainly isn't something new for them, when it's paired with the context of what happened earlier tonight, it's dangerously close to making steven blush. still, he holds his hand back, though not as strongly as he usually does. ]

No... you haven't. But you'll have to some other time, yes. Let's go home.

[ as if they share a home? damn it steven, get ahold of yourself. he'll be the one to slip out of the grip first, almost lookig a bit pensive before returning to his usual neutral expression. ]

welcome to head canon land

[rainbadge]

<sub>[ Wallace studies Steven's reaction. Once he feels the grip slip from his delicate fingers, his own hand lifts to his hair, twirling it idly in one of those jagged locks that peeked through his hat. The celebrity indulges in another moment of seemingly eternal silence before steering the car to his destination.

Steven had been here plenty of times— to Wallace's house. It was more like it's own little resort. It favored his own gym a great deal— yes, the copious amounts of water to go with it. Where else were his Pokemon supposed to go when they wanted to swim? Having water here was just a no-brainer.

They park (land, rather) steadily on the roof top. It's like one big flat, complete with a dining and lounging area outside. The upper floor was surrounded by glass, and inside was nothing but a large, indoor pool with all sorts of various, exotic plants. There was even one of his beds there, simply by the pool and matching the pastel and white colored decor.

There was a downstairs; a stainless steel kitchen and a billiards room. There were several spare rooms that contained beds, and of course a luxurious, large, walk in closet with all of his trophies.

.. and Wallace was the only one who lived here. He had nobody else, just the occasional family visiting. No maids; as much as he loved the popstar life, he didn't find it right to have any of those hired.

Wallace steps out and stretches his arms high to the sky. ]</sub>

It's so late!
_{[ true enough, going on to 2 AM at this point. ]}
We can sleep in as late as we can tomorrow.. and oh! You didn't really pack much, did you?

_{[ he's got some cute pjs you can wear if you need it, man. ]}

*shulk voice* im really feeling it

[geophile]

[ the house was so wallace that it made steven's lips quirk into a smile whenever he saw it, especially at this angle. the both of them had more money than they knew what to do with, but their living arrangements couldn't be more different. although, steven didn't spend too much time in his home at mossdeep anyway - with how frequently he was on the move, expensive hotel suites were more often what he called home. there was the stone mansion back in rustboro too, of course... but he hadn't stayed there in ages.

he takes a nice, deep breath of the cool night air once they step out of the car, adjusting his scarf. ]

I'll sleep in what I'm in. Don't worry too much about it.

[ it won't be the first time he's slept in his suit. he's not expecting to get too much sleep at all tonight anyway - too much on his mind. ]

[rainbadge]

Of course you will.
<sub>[ the response was so much Steven it practically hurt. Wallace slept in his clothes plenty of times too while traveling and did not complain.

... Okay, he might have mentioned it a few times. Sort of like complaining. But he wouldn't force his friend to change of he did not want to.

As they walk towards the door, Wallace fishes for his keys in his cloak pockets then opens the door. ]</sub>

Try not to steal all the blankets this time.

_{[ right. That. Are you gonna feel up to sharing the bed as per usual tonight? Maybe one of the guest beds seems more comfortable for some reason. ]}

[geophile]

[ he chuckles at wallace's bluntness towards his predictability. it was so easy to fall into routine when they were like this... he feels oddly calm, but something about it is different than usual.

he had considered taking one of the guest beds, but something in his mind is telling him that he wants to share with wallace. it felt safe, relaxing, and much warmer than settling under cold sheets alone. ]

I make no promises.

[ he's going to regret this, isn't he. ]

[rainbadge]

Is that so!? Well, I'll have you know I have plenty of spare blankets. I'm prepared this time!

<sub>[ Wallace strides right in, leaving the door open for Steven and assuming he's going to shut it behind him.
Steven took blankets for a good reason; a lot of Wallace's house was gray and white marbled. The floors were cold. It was a wonder how Wallace tolerated it with him being more attracted to warmer temperatures, actually.

Needless to say, he's already smoothly removing his cloak and folding it under his arms as he walks across the floor ahead of Steven.

The water in what was considered the "master bedroom" that they've stepped into looked warm and comfortable, the sound of various fountain decor seeming relaxing. The only light were the lights alongside the pool.

It was not a "master bedroom." It was more like an indoor pool with a bed off to the side.
This is where he spent most of his time when he wasn't traveling.

He makes his way to a large wardrobe that is close against one of the walls and opens it to put his cloak in it— humming merrily the entire time.

—the humming was interrupted by a yawn. It really sounded obnoxious.
He couldn't be pretty all the time, as much as he might like to.
anyway yeah he's just gonna start undressing. What he's wearing under that cloak and those scarves was something surprisingly basic: black slacks and a black collar shirt. ]</sub>

..You know, it's been entirely too long since somebody has stayed here with me.

[geophile]

[ he'll never understand how wallace sleeps in a place like this every night... though steven is the one who thinks that cuddling up in bed with one of his smaller steel-types is the most comfortable thing in the world. maybe they're both a little weird that way.

the humming goes largely unheard by steven - he's learned to take it as background noise, with the frequency that he hears it. it's the interruption with a yawn that makes him smile, mostly because it's one of the most ungraceful things that wallace does. he takes care not to catch himself staring before he gets to undressing himself, hanging up his coat accordingly, along with taking off and folding his suit jacket and plucking off his (quite expensive-looking) cufflinks.

at his comment, he looks at him with a quirked eyebrow. ]

Has it?

[ he's not quite certain on the context that wallace means, but it's surprising nonetheless. entertaining company always seemed to be a forte of his. ]

[rainbadge]

Yes. I believe I just got caught up into so many things lately. I haven't been giving time to myself lately. I'm glad tomorrow is a holiday.
<sub>[ silk pajamas. And they're baby blue with little Pokeballs on them. Was he five years old?
His Pokemon were also tucked away in a case he kept their balls in; his award winning team deserved just that.

It felt nice to rake his fingers through his seafoam colored hair, scritching the back which was cut close to his scalp in satisfaction. Typically, he wore make up when competing or showing up as a judge, but he went without any today besides maybe some lip gloss.

Steven, you have a pretty flamboyant best friend.

Anyway, he seemed pretty pleased to get more comfortable and looks over at Steven. ]</sub>

I can't even recall who came here last, honestly. Maybe it was you; it's been that long.

[geophile]

It's been hectic for both of us, hasn't it?

[ he can't help but let out a sigh as he flops his back onto the mattress and stares at the high ceilings before closing his eyes in focus. he's definitely not tired... there's too much on his mind to go to sleep right away. he's had later nights than this, but not with so much to think about. ]

It most likely was, unless you have any other close friends that you invite to stay the night.

[ in which case, wow. that's disappointing. ]

[rainbadge]

Well, family members. As far as friends go, possibly Winona stayed the night.
<sub>[ he's stroking his chin in thought, now. Days merged together when you put yourself in a busy routine. Finding time for the things that really mattered was proven to be difficult.

He and Winona had a ... thing— did have a thing. Some sort of thing that really wasn't something made official. Wallace, as open as he can be to Steven about these things, really didn't talk about her as much as a best friend probably should. His only indication was how often he mentioned her, or how he complimented how graceful and beautiful she was. They were seen together a lot, but lately.. not so much. ]</sub>

It really has been awhile, then.
_{[ Wallace dismisses the thought, maundering to the bed and climbing in to lay on his back, eyes proceeding to close. ]}

[geophile]

[ wallace, you slut.

i kid, i kid. but being as observant as steven is, he's always noticed something between him and winona. as much as he tried to hide it, the water-type master wore his heart on his sleeve more often than he thought. it gets him thinking... and for some reason, he feels an odd sinking feeling in his chest. maybe he can sleep that off.

he shifts under the covers himself once all of his metal accessories are off, but doesn't close his eyes like wallace does. he finds himself staring at the ceiling instead, thoughts drifting back and forth that keep him from sleep. ]

Tired?

[rainbadge]

<sub>[ Wallace's eyes open slowly when he hears Steven's voice, head rolling to the side to gaze at his friend fondly, smile warm. True enough, he was physically tuckered out, but he also felt like he would have difficulty getting to sleep tonight. A part of him regrets what happened back at the event they were attending, and it seemed too embarrassing to bring it up, but—

He wouldn't mind kissing Steven again, and he wasn't sure what that meant for the both of them. ]</sub>

Ah, does it appear that way? I suppose I have been wearing myself out lately. I just feel so wonderful right now.
_{[ ???
Wallace shifts to his side so now he is facing Steven. ]}

What about you?

[geophile]

[ wonderful? that gets steven's attention enough to bring his own gaze to the side, meeting wallace's head-on. he vaugely wonders why that is... but it seems like it would bring a loaded answer. ]

You shouldn't wear yourself thin like that... what is it that you always say? Something about stress and wrinkles?

[ his lips quirk into a quick little smile, but it's paired with a sigh that could easily be described as melancholic. his eyes fall closed, more in thought than anything else. ]

Not particularly... but I've always been a night owl to begin with.

[rainbadge]

<sub>[ Why did he want to wrap his arms around his friend and hold him as close as be possibly could?
They always had a very special friendship. Wallace was eternally grateful for whatever sort of relationship they had. He knew Steven was the most important person in his life; why didn't he take the steps to show everyone what he felt for him? It wouldn't really be the publicity of it all; he liked drawing attention to himself. Maybe he felt threatened about it in some way. It was a mystery.

Wallace moved closer, his hands folding on his companion's shoulder and his own cheek resting on top of his delicate hands.

They could talk about this. ]</sub>

Don't say stuff like that. I'll start worrying about myself and that will just make the wrinkles worse.

I plan on remaining beautiful the rest of my life.

_{[ ... Or they could not. ]}

[geophile]

[ god damn it. god damn it.

hand holding? okay. sharing a bed? no problem. but this - wallace being so damn close to him, practically resting on his shoulder, smiling like that... steven is a patient, well-controlled man, but wallace seemed to have a knack for finding his breaking points. ]

...I think that's enough.

[ his hands reach up to nudge wallace off of his shoulder, and in one graceful, semi-forceful motion, steven has wallace on his back and is looming over him. they're going to talk about this, arceus be damned, even if it takes all night. ]

I want a straight answer from you. [ his voice is firm, but as gentle as ever. ] Do you regret what transpired between us a few hours ago?

[rainbadge]

<sub>[ Steven had a tendency to be assertive with things. It was a difference they had, where Wallace was more passive. They had their arguments, too, and he had seen a side of Steven that wasn't pleasant at all. Thankfully, tonight was not one of those arguments.

Wallace relaxes under Steven's hold, and his face eases from a firm expression to something soft.

To make matters more frustrating, he replies with a question: ]</sub>

Do you?

<sub>[ Wallace's answer he has is loaded, but he knows for certain.
He would love to kiss Steven again.

Over and over.

It was a new desire, but he had come to terms with it. Was it simply platonic affection too far? Lust? He was not sure. ]</sub>

[geophile]

[ the reply nearly makes him scoff. he asks for a straight answer, and gets the exact opposite - typical wallace. but he doesn't get angry about it, because it's a question that he doesn't want to lie to himself about anymore. ]

No.

[ it's a confession in itself, and steven knows that holding it back would have only meant hurting himself. if wallace didn't reciprocate, then so be it. ]

[rainbadge]

Me either.

<sub>[ Wallace doesn't hesitate with his answer. It's almost like the words came out without him even thinking at all. A very natural response uttered in a hushed tone, as if he was telling himself.
He can feel blood pumping briskly through his veins as his heart pounds, lazy looking turquoise eyes fixated on the white ceiling above them.

Where was this road taking them? He simply couldn't come up with an answer to that. Wallace took things and made the best out of it, even with his head getting clouded with all sorts of worrisome 'ifs' and 'whats'. He hastily pushed them outside in the back of his head and allowed himself to sink into bliss; spiraling. Wasn't this fun?

It was difficult, even for him, to look Steven in the face.
But when he does, he smiles again. ]</sub>

Maybe we should again.

_{[ no more over thinking things like somebody here might. ]}

[geophile]

[ wallace's immediate response actually takes him by surprise. the realist in him was expecting the worst, for wallace to say that it was his own gesture of friendship like everything else they did. but that isn't the case, and it has his own heart rate increasing.

this could mean so many different things... but were they really bad? there was only one way to find out, and he meets wallace gaze with his own. ]

To see if we truly feel the way that we think we do?

[ he neither confirmed nor denied his offer verbally, but the way he's leaning down to get closer says enough. they're alone, there's no rush to meet a clock striking midnight... they could explore this for themselves. ]

[rainbadge]

—Because I want to.

_{[ yeah, something like Steven said.
As much of a near turn-on as his friend's assertiveness is, he does shift, as if trying to get out of his grasp. Steven is a bit stubborn, but he manages to nearly close the gap between them, noses brushing together affectionately. ]}

How much?
_{[ was he seriously asking this? This soon?
But he does bestow a light kiss in the corner of Steven's lips right after he asks; gentle and sweet. ]}

[geophile]

[ "because I want to." those words are enough to make steven's heartbeat feel like a flutter, and he's suddenly feeling cery, very nervous. but he can't let wallace see that, and he certainly isn't going to back down now. he's too far into this, and above all, he wants to.

he notices the shift, and it prompts him to let go of wallace's wrists, letting him move freely but still looming over with one forearm resting on the mattress on either side of him. he doesn't rush when he feels their noses touch, instead letting his eyes fall shut. when he feels wallace's lips on the corner of his, he swears his heart skips a beat. ]

Whatever feels right.

[ he seals the agreement by capturing wallace's lower lip, nipping at it gently before moving up to offer him a fuller, chaste kiss. it's slow and soft, but he pulls away from it after only a few moments, leaving an inch of space between them to give wallace the choice on whether to continue. ]

[rainbadge]

<sub>[ there you go that's the kind of response he likes. way to go, stevo.
Wallace wanted him to be the one to actually start kissing like this. Blame it on the sort of arrogance that Wallace had; but he loved feeling like he deserved something; and here, right now, he felt like he needed to be lavished with affection. It all meant so much coming from Steven, who was a bit of a stickler to give it— and yet, somehow put up with how sappy Wallace could be.

His eyes closed. He's taking apart every little detail that Steven is doing and prying it apart, at first, but then decides to just relax and go with whatever.
That's when his eyes open and he's watching his companion be so close with him.

His arms open and engulf Steven, wiry fingers pressing into his expensive-as-shit clothing; who knew how much that button up shirt cost when you could find something like that at the thrift store for far more less.
His palm cups the back of Steven's head as he uses it as leverage to pull himself up again, all the while pushing Steven into another kiss.

The edge of his tongue instantly skirts across the break in his best friend's lips before he opens his mouth and takes in Steven's upper lip next.

this is gay. ]</sub>

[geophile]

[ steven isn't sure if it's the kissing itself or just the pure feeling of intimacy he feels from wallace, but his chest feels tight and he finds himself wondering just how he's gone so long without this. he wants to give wallace everything he has - not as a gesture of friendship, but something a little different.

he lets himself be pushed into another kiss when he feels wallace's hands crinkling into his dress shirt. it'd have to be dry cleaned and pressed and tended to like the overpriced garment it was, but it's the furthest thing from steven's mind. instead, he focuses on his mind drawing blank and his desires taking over (for once) when wallace takes his lip, transitioning into a kiss that's decidedly less chaste than the first. it's still hesitant, as if steven is afraid he'll be pushed away again, but it's something he can't help.

this is really gay. ]

[rainbadge]

<sub>[ Usually, he would be able to detect some hesitance in Steven's responses with things. They both were on a mind and emotion channel where it was easy to feel what the other was feeling or thinking. Tonight, though, Wallace was getting unsure feelings from Steven. He seemed alright and wanting of this, but also seemed scared or reluctant. Maybe he just needed a little more forcefulness...

Wallace presses Steven closer to him and meshes their lips together— tighter and more efficiently, allowing his palms to glide around the rounds of Steven's shoulders, down to his arms and moving to his sides, then slipping right around his waist. A singular finger idly drawing circles along the small of Steven's back.

He pulls back to merely make another movement in taking in Steven's lower lip next, not being quite so reluctant like Steven might be.
It was sort of awkward and ungraceful, which was odd coming from him. But it didn't matter, cause his tongue was beginning to tease again. ]</sub>

[geophile]

[ fear is probably the most likely reasoning for his hesitance - fear of rejection, if you wanted to get into the nitty gritty. as good as he was with reading the patterns of wallace's decisions and reactions, he was still wishy-washy. unpredictable. capable of changing course at the drop of a hat. it's never been anything more than a slight nuisance before, but now it scares him.

but that fear is slightly alleviated when he feels wallace pressing closer, with his hands seemingly unable to find a place to rest themselves. it makes him feel safe (and above all, desired), making it easier to let go and fall into the rhythm of their duet. he doesn't mind wallace's slightly awkward forwardness - instead, he welcomes it by kissing back with vigour and keeping himself open for his partner to explore. it's when he feels his tongue teasing at his mouth that he lets out what could easily be classified as a pleasured hum, unable to hold it back. ]