farawayplace | Spring is around the corner-

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Spring is around the corner-

[Over at the Banyan Research Lab it's not hard to notice Professor Banyan right outside. His lab coat is left by front porch with his Ulternian Pikachu having taken over it during its nap time, as he's tending to his front yard. He can be heard humming a song while working away.

For anyone passing by he'll be more than happy to have a chat.

Otherwise aside from gardening, the Professor will be seen nearby the shores intensely studying nearby Pokemon on the beach. He's got a notepad in hand to occasionally jot down his observations.]

(🌺Come have a chat with the local Professor! Also for those who are interested he's more than happy to hand out one of the Ulternian Starter Pokemon as well!🌺)

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"Okay, that's enough pets," Gold announces with a grin and draws his hand back from petting. He'll keep petting if Chikorita demands more, he just wants to tease him a little.

"Um, pretty soon I guess, I dunno," Gold says, still a bit awkward. But the way Banyan is acting like nothing even happened is kind of... Gold's unsure if he likes it. It makes it easier to talk to the Professor, but Gold keeps feeling like the other shoe's gonna drop. They have to talk about what happened eventually, right? Gold's going to keep feeling on edge until they do.

"Chikochi!" Chikorita happily hopped around. When Gold withdrew from pets Chikorita looked confused before opting to trot around Gold, energized.

"Alright, then did ya wanna wait for them out here? Or inside?" He questioned while brushing dirt off his gardening gloves. All the while he glanced over to Gold, mostly to assess how he may be feeling. That incident no doubt still bothered Gold... and they didn't have a chance to talk to one another properly since.

That, and Elio being Elio had wandered out the same night, just as soon as he returned. It didn't seem like either boys really spoke to each other since then, either. Plus the lack of contact from Elio spoke volumes to Banyan.

"Oh, so you're fine with no more petting huh," Gold teases Chikorita with a smile.

"I'll wait outside," Gold replies to Banyan curtly, not making eye contact. He's clearly still feeling awkward and doesn't know how to face Banyan.

A part of him does want to make up with Elio and talk to Banyan about things, to get this awkwardness out of the way... But he's not ready to make that first step yet. (Not until after he's spoken with Trip, at least.)

"Chikooo!" While not quite understanding what was being said between the two, Chikorita continued to trot around Gold.

"In that case," Banyan's pulling one glove off and another before shoving them into his pocket. While Gold may not be facing him, he's smiling over nonetheless. "Take it easy, I won't be long."

As he's heading towards the house, his Pikachu will lift his head up sleepily, before yawning and curling back into a ball to settle back down.

Note to self, Banyan's Chikorita doesn't get teasing, Gold thinks to himself. Definitely different from his own Meganium.

"Alright, cool," Gold says. He'll wave at Pikachu (AKA Tipper) before letting most of his Pokemon out of their balls and sending them out to play.

Gold himself will settle in the chair by the front door, where he'll stay until Trip arrives. Then the two head upstairs to Gold's room.

A few hours later, in the evening, Gold will come downstairs, walking more quietly than usual, and look through the house for Professor Banyan.

"Professor?" he calls out, not very loudly. "Are you in here?"

Gold is likely to find Banyan back in his lab, that's connected to the house. As usual he's surrounded by notes and research materials. However for once he seemed to be reading something in a red envelop, sighing.

Once again it's one of Banyan's Pokemon that picked up on Gold first. His Chikorita perked up turning to the Professor.

"Chikochiko!" Turning his attention to Chikorita, he gave a smile before sliding the envelop under one of his notes. Rising from his chair he made his way over to Gold.

"Ya called, Gold? How's your friend?"

Oh, there he is. As Gold enters the lab, it's pretty clear from his body language that he's a lot more relaxed than earlier.

"Hey, Bud," he greets the Chikorita with a little smile, waving at him. He glances at the red envelop, since it's such an attention-grabbing color, but quickly loses interest.

"Yeah, about Trip... He fell asleep in my bed, so I'm gonna let him keep my room for tonight," Gold says with a shrug. "So I'm gonna need another place to sleep?" He looks at Banyan expectantly, but in a somewhat shy way. There's still a bit of awkwardness there.

"Chikori!" Chikorita smiled in response while giving a hop in excitement to Gold.

"Hm," He's cupping his chin in thought at that. Thinking back to the interaction between Elio and Gold, and the awkwardness and upset between the boys, he got the picture Gold needed his personal space. Maybe that extended to friends as well? That, or... "Sure, I don't see why not."

He smiled.

"If ya want, you can sleep in my room for the night. Don't worry about me, none. The couch is plenty comfy." He reassured, before he reached over to give a light pat to Gold's head. "And Gold, ya know...if anything's bothering ya, I'm all ears when ya wanna talk."

Though Gold likes his personal space, this time it's different. There's just no space in Gold's bed, between Trip, Trip's Serperior, and the giant plushie Trip just gifted Gold. And he doesn't want to wake Trip up while setting up a futon in his room. And so, Gold just decided it's better to sleep somewhere else. (He wouldn't admit it, but Gold allowing Trip to sleep in Gold's room alone shows a lot about how much Gold's ended up trusting him.)

"Your room?" Gold makes a face at that, clearly displeased. Somehow, taking over Banyan's bed just doesn't feel right. "If the couch is comfy then I'll take the couch."

Gold hesitates at Banyan's words under the headpat, avoiding eye contact.

"Um, yeah." A small pause. "I, uh. Kinda wanted to talk."

And he flounders there, remaining silent for a while, unsure of how to start talking.

He'd offer the room Elio slept in, but doubted Gold would like that very much!

"Ya sure? I've also got a futon you could use too." He was trying to be considerate to the other--the couch while cushy wasn't the best of place to sleep on. "That and I feel like tonight's gonna be another late nighter so I don't wanna accidentally wake ya up."

He's quiet, with his expression soft when Gold spoke about wanting to talk.

"Take your time, I'm listenin'. In fact, ya don't gotta start from the beginning. Just say what's on yer mind."

Yeah, that probably wouldn't go well either!

"Either's fine," Gold shrugs. "Put me somewhere you won't go tonight, I guess. I don't mind."

That doesn't much help Gold with figuring out what to say. What even would be the beginning? Maybe he should just blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.

"You're not my dad," he says, not meeting Banyan's eyes, "but I keep wanting you to be more like him. Sorry."

Well, that's a start. Gold doesn't know what to say after that.

Beni nodded in agreement. He'll just let Gold take the bed tonight even if the other may protest. Putting that topic away for now, he waited. It may be clear to Gold he was watching, given how he didn't have his sunglasses on as he had no need for them, at the moment.

While Gold may be avoiding his eyes, his were on Gold. The downside with his shades being off, Beni's gaze became sharp regardless of what's on his mind.

"Ya don't gotta be sorry." He spoke in a calm, and soft tone which contrasted really, from his sharp eyes. In fact, he'll squat down to be at eye level with Gold. "I know that yer homesick, and there's still a lotta things we don't know about each other."

Like about family, their lives, and everything in between. Those took time to know, and learn. Especially if one party wasn't as willing to open up.

"...but I ain't here to replace yer Dad, nor can I be like him. 'Course, I know ya knew that already. Yer a bright kiddo." He smiled to Gold, fondness within his eyes. "But while you're here, and no matter what you choose to do...yer family to me."

"Y...yeah. I know," Gold says, throat feeling a bit tight. "But I felt like I had to say it. It's not fair to you... I keep expecting something you can't be since you're different people, and I just realized today that that's what I'm doing. I gotta fix that, so I don't get mad for no reason, like with Elio..."

Gold pauses, swallowing. He steels himself, looking at Banyan in the eyes.

"So that's why this is a declaration! You're not my dad or my mom, and I can't keep being jealous or scared! So... so to do that I... I can't be your family!"

He says that loudly, with his head held high, but then wilts.

"I shouldn't shout, Trip's sleeping. Um, but... I'm sorry. I know in Ultern, people are family as soon as they meet or something but I think I really gotta work things out in my head before I can be family in, like, a normal way..."

He's averting his eyes again. He knows Banyan is understanding, but he's turning down his offer of being family, here. That has to hurt, right?

Banyan waits, giving Gold the floor to speak what he's had in his mind. It seemed after a talk with his friend, Gold had gotten a better understanding of himself. From his experience people were able to grow, thanks to their bonds with others. He smiled faintly before gazing up to Gold who made his declaration.

"Gold," He spoke up, smiling still. Even if Gold was avoiding his gaze, he kept his on Gold. "Ya know yer a good kiddo. Just know that I don't ever want ya to feel scared of what you have to say. I've told ya before... nakurunaisa. It'll be okay, it'll all work out."

Gold wouldn't know the weight of those words, Banyan is aware but he hope to at least be able to help push the young boy forward.

"That and, y'know. Family or not, my home is still open to ya. I gotta admit it's nice having ya here."

"Yeah, I know," Gold says, looking at Banyan again. "I know you don't want me to be scared. That's why I gotta change. I dunno how, but... I feel like this is step one. I gotta get distance from you before I can be close again? So, um... I'll do my best! Nakurunaisa!" It's a bit of a clumsy attempt to repeat what Banyan said.

It's a relief to know he's still welcome here, and Gold smiles.

"Thanks. Um, I thought about leaving too, but, I dunno where else to go, and this is a pretty good place to stay, so..." he scratches the back of his head, embarrassed. "I dunno why I'm making excuses. I wanna stay here too! Just, uh, more like roommates than family." He's not sure that would even change anything, other than emotionally.

"So, anyway! Where's the futon? I'll help you roll it out," Gold says, eager to change the subject and unaware of Banyan's intention to give him the bed anyway.

"Ya just do what you feel is right." Banyan's smiling still, making it clear that he was there to support Gold. Family or roommates how he felt towards Gold wasn't about to change. He felt responsible for him, and wanted to make sure he was okay.

"Don't ya worry, ya can stay here for any reason." He'll nod in affirmation. Although it seemed Gold was ready to change the subject. At his eagerness to unroll the futon, Banyan cupped his chin thoughtfully.

"About that, it might not be necessary. Ya see, I wasn't lying about tonight's research being an all nighter. I was thinking of going on a field search soon and since it's dark out it, it's gonna take longer than usual."

Gold tilts his head, clearly confused. What does Banyan pulling an all-nighter have to do with any of this?

"Oh, you don't have time to help with the futon!" he realizes, not picking up on what Banyan's trying to hint at all. "Okay, I can do it myself. Just show me where it is!"

He doesn't want to get in the way of Banyan's work, after all.

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Spring is around the corner-

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1/2

[timeskip time!]

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