AN: AAAAAA happy tktober everyone!!! Sorry I haven't done any other days, I haven't been feeling as motivated!!! Anyways, take my goofy goobers. Not in any specific time, probably during a hc season.
Not Beta Read
Lee!Grian, Ler!Scar
Can be read as romantic or platonic
Wing troubles.
All avians have them, which sadly includes a certain pesky bird. Grian hasn't had the time to take care of them, is all. Preening was a tedious task, and he already had other tedious tasks to do!
He had let his wings get to a pretty bad state. In fact they're so bad, his flight had been majourly affected. This, of course, was a problem, considering Grian's main transportation method was flying. And he couldn't deal with the mess by himself, normally someone else would be there to help him when he was younger. It's not like he would just go up to someone and ask them to help... that's a stupid idea.
...
Grian stood at Scar's door, head slightly tilted to the side in embarassment as he knocked. Would Scar even know what to do? He's not an avian.
The green-eyed man opened the door a couple seconds later, smiling. "Oh, Grian! What's up? Need blocks?"
"No, I, erm, I had a question to ask, but don't laugh..." Grian took an unneeded breath. Why was this such an embarrassing question? He needs help, so he's getting it. "Can you help me preen my wings?"
"...snrk, why would I laugh at that?"
"You just snickered right now!"
"Yeah, cause you look so embarassed! There's nothing to be ashamed of, G. You need help, and here I am. I don't really know how to preen wings though, so you're going to have to teach me," Scar replied.
"Yeah, I figured," Grian chuckled. "Anyways, is it okay if I, uh, come in?" He motioned to the inside of Scar's base.
"Oh- yeah! Come in, come in, make yourself at home, need any refreshments, a place to rest? I'm at your service," Scar winked, welcoming Grian into his base.
Grian smiled and rolled his eyes, strolling in. "Is it okay if I lay on your bed? It kinda makes things easier," Grian asked, already getting comfy on Scar's bed. They just had a relationship like that, y'know. Grian's not even sure why he asked to come into the house, he probably could've just waltzed in after Scar opened the door. Meh, the moment's already passed.
"Sure, yeah. Alright, you're gonna have to tell me what to do, since this is like, my first time even touching your wings, let alone wings in general," Scar mentioned, standing next to the flightless bird. Maybe this wasn't the greatest idea. Already in too deep.
"Okay. Basically, any feathers that look dry - which is probably a lot of them - can be taken out with a gentle scratching motion. Just, be careful please. Especially with the ones closer to my back." Grian blushed slightly, greatful that Scar couldn't see due to to his face being covered by a pillow. His wings are... lets go with sensitive. Yeah.
"Got it boss," Scar reassured Grian, begining to preen.
It was actually a pretty nice feeling. Something about having someone else care for you, it felt good. Grian was honestly about to fall alseep in Scar's hands, until he felt a gentle scratching sensation near the base of his scapulars. He squeaked, before putting a hand to his mouth to prevent any other embarassing sounds to come out. Shoot.
Scar retracted his hands, giving Grian a confused look that the avian couldn't see. "Something happen? I didn't hurt you, right?" He asked.
"NOpe! Aha, ahem, I don't know what that was, you can- you can keep going, sorry," Grian squeaked out. Please don't say anything, please don't say anything, please-
"M'kay!" Scar grinned knowingly. Scar knew Grian too well for him to try and talk his way out of anything. Of course, it was the other way around too, and if he was in Grian's situation he would be screwed, but that's not the point! Anyways, he continued on, every so often swiping a finger through the connection point of a row of feathers, earning some other silly (or in Grian's case, embarassing) sounds.
"Scahahar!" Grian giggled, squirming around on Scar's bed.
"Whatever could be the matter, fine sir? I am simply fufilling your request!" Scar smirked, laughing quietly to himself.
"Nohohoho! You knohohow whahahat you're dohohoing!" Scar was holding down Grian gently with one hand, dragging a finger up and down his spine with the other.
"And what could that be?" He teased.
"Tihihickling mehehe!"
"No, I'm helping to preen you. This is tickling you."
"Wahahait- SCAHAHAR! WAHAHAIT!" But it was too late. Scar latched on to both of Grian's sides, squeezing them up and down. Grian squealed, trying to shift away, but ending up ping-ponging between Scar's two hands.
"Look at you, squirmy thing," Scar huffed with amusement. The wings had already been finished minutes before he started with this. He just wanted to see how much he could get away with before the big thing.
"SHUHUHUT UHUHUP!" Grian was honestly already about as red as his sweater, and Scar's teasing was not helping.
"Shut up?" Scar gasped in fake horror, briefly retracting his hands to give Grian a break. "Why, that's so rude! Haven't you ever learned about manners?"
"Shuhuhut... I hahate you." Grian grumbled half-heartedly.
"You hate me?!" The fake shock in Scar's voice could gain the fake pity of anyone. "Why, we must teach you a lesson about that."
"What, wahahait- nohohOHOHO! SCAHAHAR!" Grian shrieked as a hand was felt gently squeezing the area where his spine and wings connected. That was probably his most ticklish area, and Scar probably knew. That man will be the death of Grian, probably literally. No, not literally. He's too nice to kill.
"Have you learnt your lesson, Mr. Meanie Face?" Yeah, that was a stupid name. Even for Scar's standards. He couldn't really come up with anything better.
"YEHEHES! I HAHAHAVE!" Scar let go of the flailing bird, quickly going to get a glass of water his kitchen area before returning. Leftover giggles were pouring out of Grian, but at least his wings were looking better!
Scar handed the water to Grian before making his bed, or at least the parts he could fix at the moment. He wouldn't dare kick a dying man out of his bed! Well, hopefully not. Judging by the breaths, he at least needs are. Whoopsies, teehee.
Grian chugged the water, the red slowly leaving his face and ears. "Ugh... thahanks, Scar. For the wings-! Not, uh... yeah." Lets just pretend he wasn't alluding to anything else. Yep.
"Any time! Really, if you need help with preening, I think I got the hang of it," Scar smiled. He honestly wouldn't mind getting to help his friend again. Fun happy bonding time!
"I'll think about it, yeah! Thanks again!" Grian was getting up to leave, making it to the door before Scar called out to him.
"Oh, and G! One more thing!" Grian paused, turning to look at Scar. "You never told me to sto-"
"OH HEY LOOK AT THE TIME! NICE CHAT SCAR!" Quickly, Grian flew out the door into the sky on the way back to his own base. He didn't want Scar to finish that sentence, he already experienced enough embarassment for the day. So what if the whole experience was... enjoyable.
Maybe he should go back to Scar for wing troubles.
AN: Happy New Years everyone!!!!!!!! One of my resolutions is to write more, so here's a fic to kick off the year!!!!!!!! Spoilers for some of Arven's backstory!!! Also my space bar lost the little metal bit so I threw a pipe cleaner in and it's just a bit janky. Also also might be OOC, idrc tho. Also also also I got lazy at the end ::::p
NOT BETA READ
Lee!Arven, Ler!Mabosstiff
New years eve. A night where one can spend time with friends, or family. They're excited for the year to come, ready to overcome new challenges and better themselves. They don't lay in bed waiting for the clock to strike twelve so they can get some rest.
This was Arven's first new years eve alone in the house. It was 11:45 PM. Arven sighed, resting a hand over his head. He didn't know what to do with himself while he waited, or why he was even staying up. Was there a reason to celebrate if he had no one to celebrate with?
With a small grunt, he sat himself up and got off the bed, heading towards the kitchen. Maybe grab some grapes to wish on, or just a snack. He felt his was along the walls to the kitchen, not bothering to turn on the lights.
He kept making his way through the house, until he unfortunately made contact with a large furry mound and- "cruuUUUUD-!". Thump. Mabosstiff, who was sleeping in between the kitchen and living room, abruptly woke, circling sleepily a few times in place before looking at his owner. He let out an amused sniff, grinning at his fallen trainer.
"Ugh..." Arven groaned, rubbing his head. Maybe he'll get some ice too while he's there. "Sorry bud, you alright?" He asked, giving Mabosstiff a couple pats. Mabosstiff rubbed himself against Arven, as a sign of forgiveness.
Arven looked at the clock. 11:50 PM. He sighed internally. "I was going to get some grapes for the count down, but do you want some food? I think we have sandwich stuff." His pokemon perked up at the sound of food. Anything Arven made was great. "Yeah? Alright..." He quickly got to work, prepping a simple jam sandwich for the two to share.
11:53 PM. Midnight arrives soon. Arven sets himself a plate, sitting down at the couch. There's nothing good on at this hour, but he turns on the TV for some background noise anyway. Something to tune any negative thoughts out. On the floor next to him, Mabosstiff wolfs down his sandwich. He looks to Arven, noticing that something doesn't seem right. A head tilt.
On the couch, Arven just sits. He only took a couple bites of his food. Mabosstiff pouts at Arven, nudging his head against Arven's leg. "Hmm-? Oh, nothing's wrong, don't worry!" He smiles and gives Mabosstiff a thumbs up, but he knows Mabosstiff isn't buying it. Another nudge.
"No, really, Mabosstiff. I'm..." Arven sighs, looking at the clock. 11:55. Soon, he can go to bed. But maybe he can get this one thing off of his chest. Start the new year with a fresh mind? "I'm just kind of upset, y'know? It's almost the new year, and I'm just stuck here alone. You get it, right? I mean, surely some time off from Area Zero would be allowed, maybe come and spend quality time with your son?" He frowned, playing with his bangs. "But now I'm just... alone."
Mabosstiff nodded. He also missed the professor, so he understood what Arven was saying. But alone? He was right there! Mabosstiff barked, looking down at himself and back at Arven, almost like he was saying "what about me?".
"Hmm? Oh, you're good company too, bud." He chuckled, patting the space of the couch next to him. "C'mon, let's watch the count down together. I think that one gym leader has it up." He flipped the channel to Iono's stream, the electric trainer in full new years festive wear, reading off donos while a timer ticks down. 1 minute left.
Mabosstiff hopped onto the couch, snuggling into Arven's side. The trainer made a small, almost unoticable twitch. Keyword almost. Yes, this was nice, but just "good company"? Mabosstiff would make sure he was more than that.
"Alright ladies and gentlemens!" An energetic voice rings out from the screen. "I'm gonna hop outta frame for a sec so you all can enjoy the countdown with your families!" Left on screen was Iono's stylized timer, with 15 seconds.
"You see that, bud? Almost the new year!" Arven pointed at the screen. 10. "I know I just said it..." 9. "But it's nice to spend time with you," 8. "I know we haven't done much for tonight," 7. "But I hope you appreciate it." 6. "Since I appreciate you!" 5. "Even if we're not friends," 4. "or family," 3. "You're a good pokemon," 2. "So, uhm..." 1. "Happy new yehehear-! Wahahahahat-!" Arven squealed as he felt something rub into his side. He turned his head to see Mabosstiff rubbing his snout into him. "Mabosstiff- whahahat ahare yohohou dohohoing-? Buhuhud-!" He giggled, lightly pushing Mabosstiff's head away.
"Bwoof!" Which, in reader terms, is "Not friends or family? I'm your partner!" But, Arven isn't reading this. Mabosstiff pressed his paws into Arven, making the trainer squeal again.
"BUHUHUHUD! Nahahahahah!" Arven wriggled back and forth, but every time he moved over to one side, Mabosstiff followed. Soon, Mabosstiff started nuzzling into Arven's neck, playfully growling. The boy snorted, moving up his shoulders to protect his neck. "Mabosstihihihihihihihiff-! Whahahahat- *snrk* whahahat ihihis ihihit? Dihihid Ihihihi *snrk* sahahay sohohomething?"
"Bwoof!" Mabosstiff nodded into Arven's neck, the fur vibrating into the sensitive skin. "Bwrrrrr, bwoof bwoof!"
"Whahahahat wahahahas ihihit *snrk*? Plehehehease!" Arven put his hands on Mabosstiff's shoulders, gently pushing the dog off. "Breheheak..." Mabosstiff complied, letting Arven breathe as the residue giggles wore off.
"Ohokay... will yohou lehet me know whahat I said, or doho I have to guess?" Arven asked, petting Mabosstiff.
...
"...Guessing it is," Arven sighed with a smile. "Alright, was it because we didn't do much for the new year?"
Mabosstiff growled, before nuzzling his snout into Arven's stomach, causing a new wave of laughter to erupt. "GAHAHAHAH- WAHAHAHAIT BUHUHUD! WAHAHAS IHIHI WROHOHONG?" Mabosstiff nodded.
"AHAHALRIHIHIGHT! DOHOHO YOHOHOU *snrk* THIHINK YOHOHOUR A BAHAD POHOKEMON? YOHOHOU'RE NAHAHAHAT- MAHAHABOHOHOSTIHIHIFF!" Arven shrieked as Mabosstiff -attempted to- blow raspberries into his stomach. Yes dog lips cant pucker, but also Arven was just extremely ticklish.
"I GIHIHIVE *snrk* UHUHUP! PLEHEHEASE NAHAHA! NOHOHOHO MOHOHORE!" Tears pricked at Arven's eyes as he thrashed on the couch. Not wanting to kill his trainer, Mabosstiff eased up, climbing off of Arven and resting his head on Arven's lap.
"Ah... ahah.. jeheheez buhuhud, what wahahas ihihit?"
Mabosstiff whimpered. Did Arven really not get it?
"Whahat else did Ihihi sahahay..? The fahahamily thing?" Arven slightly cocked his head. Mabosstiff perked up again. Yes! That was it! He shook his head excitedly.
Arven frowned. "Oh, bud, I'm so sorry. I was taking about people. Of course you're family. You come before anyone. I don't need any lousy parent with you! I'm sorry, Mabosstiff. Can you forgive me?"
"Bwoof!" Mabosstiff jumped up, licking Arven's face. Guess he was worrying over nothing.
"Wahahait that tihihickles! Dohohon't lihihick mehehe!"
