"Kind of the reason he's glitchy and went on a murder spree... Now imagine that...but he built MissingNo and you have grandpa."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

"Yes Miki, no MissingNo. I've heard them say MissingNo a few times, but never asked for an explanation."

"Uh...how to not say too much? Steven told you about MissingNo and Miki?"

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

"He's not told me much about his side of the family. And I don't dig. I'd love to know more, but I'll only ask questions if he brings it up."

“You handled it so well.” No. I didn’t. I went insane, lost spark, bled in silence, shattered in private and wore a smile that lied better than any mask could.

"...Oh, Steven definitely never told you what he had in common with Grandpa AZ."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

"Sentimentality is a good trait to have. Sucks when your heart gets broken, but, over all, I'd say the few downsides are less impactful than the upsides."

"I wasn't too surprised. Steven is a big romantic, honestly. ...I guess I am, too. Probably got that from grandpa's side of the family with him being known for being so sentimental."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

"I agree. Still, didn't expect them to leap on over to marriage so quick, it was a bit shocking."

"Honestly, far as I can see, you two are a perfect couple. Kind of hard to imagine you two not happy together."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

"No, that was entirely Steven's idea. I just wanted to be his boyfriend, he brought it up to the next level himself. Though I did say yes with little to no resistance."

"Honestly, I got the impression you were already thinking of it when I started teasing Steven about it..."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

"Yeah, I'll admit, I went real hard after Steven to date them. Didn't expect them to push for marriage immediately though. However, I'm not complaining."

"Story of my life. At least I had the sense to not ask Phantom out the day I met him... N-not saying you two were a bad start. Just with how I am..."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

"Wow, your dials really are all or nothing." He chuckles and pats Mike on the shoulder. "But hey, just means you're committal, which in my opinion, is a good thing."

"Never know."

A Restart@forgottenchampion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

"You know the pokemon might not live long enough.."

"Can't blame me for thinking that when I see a baby Pokémon."

A Restart@forgottenchampion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

"True."

"It's still cute."

A Restart@forgottenchampion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

"Well they may not go to our home.."

"...Because it would be cute."

A Restart@forgottenchampion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

".....Why do you think that?"

"Steven...you two are totally giving that to the kid when they happen, aren't you?"

//I feel like Mike right now. My poor throat. XD

Mike gave a weak laugh at that. "Call it a bad habit. I either fully trust someone or not at all."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

"Still, trusting anyone blindly is a bad idea for the most part."

"You've given me no reason not to."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

"I... I wouldn't suggest believing everything I say, but I appreciate the thought and trust you have in me."

"And I believe you. I'm not worried about you two, honestly. It's why I'm so quiet most of the time. I believe everything you say is honest and that I can trust you with him."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

"Exactly. I treat those I cherish with the utmost respect and care, and that includes both you and Steven."

"I hope Phantom has Valentine's Day off. I have some ideas!"

Mike gave a soft laugh at that, grinning. "And that is why when I was ready to be a protective big brother, you never saw it. No reason to hate you."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

don't have that type of ego. I'm not even sure how much of an ego I have. Because saying that I just don't have one sounds egotistical in itself. I certainly have one, it's just not very large."

Mike couldn't help a soft laugh. "And talk like that is why I feel I can trust you with Steven."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

don't have that type of ego. I'm not even sure how much of an ego I have. Because saying that I just don't have one sounds egotistical in itself. I certainly have one, it's just not very large."

Boccer? What is everyone talking about?!

"And there is one of the reasons I actually think my brother got lucky with you: something I never thought I'd say. You're a very intelligent man, Grey. And with that you don't treat Steven like he's stupid."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

"Yeah, not easy, but I am making progress. Since I figured out how to make things go one way, it should make it easier to go the other."

"Steven told me. That can't be an easy thing to do! Especially when his code can get glitchy sometimes from MissingNo."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

He chuckles. "Well, I think you two will make a great pair of parents... Meanwhile I'm over here doing mad science to make a bio-child. Progress is slow... but... I learned hot to turn genetic code into computer code. Now to just do the opposite."

"Yeah...it's helping me let go..." Mike smiled. "Wonderful. We're talking about adopting after we get married. But he's still taking the wedding planning slow. Which, if that's how he wants to handle it, I'm fine with."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

"I suppose it would be. But hey, you're both all grown up now, and both about to be married. Speaking of marriage... how are things going with you and Phantom?"

"I am...I'm trying. I have my own life and I'm actually not around too much. Just...check in on you guys." He gave a soft laugh. "...My whole childhood was making sure Steven had one... Even being champion was for Steven. That's hard to turn off."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

yourself breath, and relax. And there is the fact that Steven planned out his wedding with me before you did yours with Phantom. Now, I'm not saying you should stop, of course I'm not, but, maybe, you can start easing up on yourself, start tuning down the brother dial."

Mike chuckled as he took the soda. Caught. "Thanks. And yeah...been taking care of him so long I don't think he remembers mom and dad..." With a soft sigh, he opened the can. "Old habits die hard. I still feel like I should protect him. It's easier if I'm quiet and invisible to others."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Once Grey returns with the can of orange soda, he taps Mike on the shoulder. "It's hard to turn off the whole Big Brother mode, isn't it?" He asks with a chuckle as he leads them over to the couch, sitting them down, soon sitting on a nearby recliner. "You still worry for him, right?"

"From what he told me, I wouldn't be surprised. Doesn't change I'm not used to anyone doing much for me. Ah." Choices. Mike was guilty of hoping he wouldn't have to think about it. He never had to... "Uh...orange."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

"Of course, you may be my fiance's older brother, but as far as I know, you're still younger than me... and I'm not old enough to need assistance yet." He chuckles as he walks into the kitchen. "Alright, I got black cherry, cherry cola, normal cola, root beer, orange, cream soda, and ginger ale."

You know, it's one conception of death for Buddhists: the wave returns to the ocean, where it came from and where it's supposed to be.

"It is..." Mike smiled, nodding. Still, he hesitated. Not yet used to accepting anyone doing anything for him. "Ah. Soda is good. Thank you."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

"Love is a wonder drug." He chuckles. "Now, let's step away from the darker conversations, and focus more on better stuff. It's been a while since we had a proper chat, and talking always goes better with refreshments. So, can I get you anything, tea, coffee, water, soda?"

"Kind of find that relatable. But I'm used to suffering quietly...making sure Steven doesn't worry about me. So I just...isolated myself worried I'd just get used again until I met Phantom."

Grey Archamedis Blackthorn (Open DM's)@bloodboundgrey.bsky.social · 9mo ago

"Yeah, luckily that's never happened to me. My last relationship actually ended worse. But I've worked though it... mostly through going full terminator than years of soul searching."