serperiority | [S1 Trip and younger Gold, closed to gold

The warm colours of autumnal leaves and the crisp, cool air of the changing season was similar, but not the same as it was in Unova, but even if it was, without him here, it simply wasn’t going be the same. The festival, too, for all the nostalgia it invoked in him, if it wasn’t going to lead him any closer to Alder or defeating him, it wasn’t something he should concern himself with now. He needed to train.
Things like eating sweets or enjoying the sights and sounds of a festival was for children and had no place on an adult’s world, Trip decided, and walked on.

… even with these thoughts, he still paused, briefly, here and there, to take photographs. The beauty of this season was ephemeral and while he no longer had any place here, he couldn’t ignore it or the way it made him feel, even as pursuing his goal overtook anything else…

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From:

gold_drum

"Huh..." Gold looks at the photo Trip shows him, and any others Trip might show him. It's interesting to see them, and all the different places Trip's taken photos of, but... Something bitter keeps crawling in Gold's thoughts.

Did Trip ever take photos of Gold in happy moments? Or was that photo just now the first one Trip had taken of him? Gold couldn't remember. He doesn't recall Trip asking to take a picture before, so maybe it was the first time something happened with Gold that Trip wanted to remember.

...In the future, would Gold only be a bad memory to Trip? ...Maybe that's all he is to everyone.

He doesn't want to say any of that out loud, though. If Trip only wants to remember bad things about Gold, it's better if Gold doesn't know that for sure. So he won't ask.

((tbh what's mostly keeping me from watching it is Team Rocket, I don't really want to see their boring and serious phase XD

17 episodes sounds watchable! I don't really have the time or patience to keep watching long shows these days, unless they really grab me, so I think I'll just watch the Trip episodes and any others that seem interesting enough!))

From:

serperiority

Trip wouldn’t want him to just be a bad memory, but perhaps he had other reasons for not taking his picture earlier. Like the fact that he looked worse for wear or that he was a thief and Trip assumed he wouldn’t want his picture taken.
Now… it might simply be that Trip was hoping Gold won’t be too permanent a presence in his life, as he couldn’t see himself as a good enough travelling companion or caretaker…

He mostly took pictures of places he’d been, Pokemon battles, and trainers he’d met. He seemed to take more pictures of Pokemon and scenery than people in general… he did seem to favour candid pictures, not posed ones, the only photographs where the subjects seemed aware, aside from some of his pictures of his own Pokemon, seemed to be pictures of a spiky-haired boy with a cap and a Pikachu on his shoulder, eagerly waving at the camera. Those pictures didn’t seem to fit Trip’s style and he would pass over them quickly to get to the ones he did want to share.

Interestingly, among the most recent pictures, there were pictures of the Glitterrace Town Pokemon Center, including the room they shared. That might be a start. But still, no other pictures of Gold, unless he had gone over them entirely.

“… Mycen’s not a Pokemon I’ve ever seen before. So, I’d like to take its picture too, if you wouldn’t mind,” Trip said. “Maybe once we’re outside, the lighting will be better.”

They should be nearing the exit!

From:

gold_drum

Gold watches the photos, appreciating them, but not really talking much. He wonders what kind of a dark past Trip's got with the boy with the cap, but makes no comment on it. Nothing Gold sees really changes his preconception of why Trip hasn't taken many pictures of him. But... maybe he'd like to take some photos himself, some day. Maybe even get his own camera. Not that he could afford anything like that any time soon...

Mycen looks up at the sound of his name, chittering questioningly.

"Oh, yeah, that's fine," Gold says. Huh, so Trip likes Mycen more than him. No wonder, Mycen's cute.

The exit already! The walk through the cave was shorter than he'd expected. Of course, seeing Trip's photos helped pass the time a lot. Gold speeds up his last few steps to get to sunlight quickly. Finally some warmth!

"Hey, Mycen, let's take some pictures of you!" he tells the Pokemon, and goes to set him down on the grass. Mycen looks around, curious, and scratches at the ground experimentally. What a strange place, all green and sunny and warm, but he can sense the roots of mushrooms below him, so he's at ease.

From:

serperiority

Dark past! Nothing as dramatic as all that, Trip just found Ash to be an utter nuisance, overly friendly, rough-mannered, simple and painfully idealistic. All things that repel Trip, but Ash never stopped trying to be his friend. But learning anything in detail about Trip was likely to take a long, long time... he wasn't chatty.

(Trip liking Pokemon a bit more than the people they're attached to isn't too surprising either, he seemed to have some deliberate close-ups of the Pikachu, early on, while the boy seemed only to eagerly butt into frame.)

~~Perhaps Trip's just a misanthrope, Gold, and it isn't that you, yourself, are detestable!~~

Trip smiled faintly at the sight of Gold running into the light.

Well, if Gold didn't mind pictures and Trip had his camera handy, then... he took another shot before Gold went to set Mycen down. He could hear the shutter, but would Gold realize he hadn't begun taking pictures of Mycen yet?

Mycen exploring its surroundings and settling down when feeling the earth earned several photographs, taken from different angles and heights, some zoomed in as Trip moved closer to Mycen too, studying it.

From:

gold_drum

~~Not Gold's fault? Absolutely impossible, completely unrealistic.~~

Gold doesn't, in fact, notice Trip took a picture of him. He even tries to move out of the way of some of the photos so Trip wouldn't be bothered. (He may have noticed some of Ash's pictures were him butting into frame, so he figures Trip doesn't like that.) Gold watches Trip take photos with interest though, trying to see how he makes the pictures look so nice. Not that it really helps him, when he's never even held a camera...

Mycen pauses exploring when Trip moves too close, and looks at the camera, and at Trip, making a curious noise and trying to poke at the strange device. Hopefully he won't scratch the lens!

From:

serperiority

~~The tendency to self-blame makes a lot of things harder, isn't it...~~

His camera—!!

Trip quickly withdrew his camera with a sharp intake of breath through gritted teeth, to quickly examine it for damage (none, fortunately) and pocket it.

"That's enough!"

From:

gold_drum

Mycen's claws fly up and he chirrups in shock, and Gold rushes to calm him.

"It's fine, it's just an important thing, Mycen," he says, lifting Mycen up by the mushroom and petting his head with a finger. "It's expensive, so don't touch it, okay."

Mycen nods, calming down, and chittering a bit.

"Umm, do we keep walking now?" Gold asks Trip. Though his legs are grateful for the rest, he's worried that he's already slowed down their journey too much, with everything that happened in the cave.

From:

serperiority

“Yeah. We should make it to the market easily, but maybe we’ll spend the night here and head back to town tomorrow, depending on how long we take. I don’t mind… I like hotels more than Pokemon Centers, anyway. It’ll be a good learning opportunity for you too.”

The truth was, Trip hated any kind of delay, but he didn’t want Gold to feel rushed and not take his time choosing things to wear… and Trip really did dislike communal spaces, so Pokemon Centers weren’t his usual choice of accomodation.

Cities are much larger and take more time to travel anyway!

“If you’re hungry, you can have something to eat. Otherwise, we’ll just eat when we’re there.”

It might have been better to offer food to Gold rather than say it first, but… Trip was figuring things out along the way. He wasn’t the best at navigating social situations, much less ones with a child who was treated the way Gold was.

From:

gold_drum

"Oh, okay!" Gold says. His interested is piqued a bit. Hotels... He's only seen them on TV commercials. They looked way too fancy, but Trip seems suited to them. Maybe with Trip even Gold could be allowed in? That's kind of exciting. And since Trip said he likes hotels, Gold doesn't feel bad about taking too long anymore.

"No, I'm fine. I can eat when we're there," Gold says. Actually, he's feeling a little hungry after all that walking, but he can take it a bit longer, no problem. That, and he's not sure he's got anything Mycen can eat, and he doesn't want to eat while leaving him hungry.

From:

serperiority

Just as planned!

When they head to the markets, there'll be all sorts of shops, including those that sell Pokemon food.

"We should probably buy some food for Mycen too, while we're here," Trip commented.

((🎁))

From:

gold_drum

"Yeah, we gotta do that," Gold says with determination. Despite originally planning on treating Mycen like emergency food, he's already gotten completely attached. He's got to take care of his Pokemon! He's a trainer now! "How long until we get to the shops?"

((omg that's the baby boy!! so cute! I went and drew a concept for an AU (?) where Trip raises Gold for like five years after this.))

From:

serperiority

“Not long now, at least for where we can get food,” Trip said, thoughtfully. “The boutiques are definitely further away… it’s a big place.”

Maybe it was best that they both get food first? Gold might not ask, but… if Trip carried on, focusing on just his goal, what if Gold were to collapse from trying to keep pace? Would he likely lose him again? Then, they should make a stop at the nearest restaurant…

Trip considered this with a grave expression.

((This is so cute and endearing, their expressions!! Their outfits!!! The influence is clear and so sweet. Can I share it on tumblr crediting you? Or do you have it uploaded elsewhere to link it? It’s so cute!!! ♥ And yeah, Trip’s treating this like it’s temporary until Gold gets adopted, but it’s very likely they’ll just stay together, fffff.))

Edited Date: 2022-12-10 02:36 am (UTC)

From:

gold_drum

"Okay... So food is closer?" Gold looks at Mycen, who looks back, puzzled. "Umm, I think Mycen is hungry, so maybe we should get food first." It's not like Gold is hungry or anything, he's just looking out for his Pokemon. Gold's stomach takes the moment to growl, and Gold cringes. "That was Mycen," he says seriously. Mycen shakes his head.

((Thanks! Yeah, I tried to make it clear they've both influenced each other, I'm glad it shows! And since you asked, I went ahead and uploaded it on my tumblr, here! I may have also been thinking of what'd happen if Gold returned home after all this, on the day his Pokemon journey would've originally begun...))

From:

serperiority

What a pitiful, transparent lie.

Trip schooled his face into indifference, but he did feel both impressed with Gold’s resolve, yet also regretful he nearly missed Gold needing things. He would have to change his pace considerably to accommodate… a pain, but he wouldn’t want Gold collapsing on him, so it seemed he would have to insist on things like meals and rest.

Pokemon food is easy to come by, so he bought a tin for Paraspor. They can have the larger bags when they have a place to stay, so they don’t carry heavy things.

“Would you or Mycen like anything else?”

The shop had many other things like accessories, costumes, and items for Pokemon!

((-reblogs and rambles all over it!!!-
I uploaded mine earlier too! ^^ And now I gotta follow you!))

From:

gold_drum

When they arrive at the store for Pokemon items, it's like another world. Neither Gold nor Mycen really knows what even half the things in there are, so they just look around, kind of overwhelmed. Gold almost misses what Trip asks him, and it takes him a second to look at Trip and reply.

"Huh? Umm, not really," Gold says, kind of blankly.

It all looks bright and colorful and strange, but also useless to Gold, who's used to only needing things for survival. Other than the food, because Gold absolutely will eat Pokemon food if he has to, and Poffins and Poke Puffs look pretty good to him. ...He might stop to stare at them for a while.

Mycen then pokes Gold's hand, and points at some accessories. Gold follows where he's pointing and finds a little accessory shaped like a Paras mushroom.

"...I think Mycen wants that one," Gold says, pointing at it. Mycen nods repeatedly.

((followed back! ^^))

From:

serperiority

Trip smirked and took the Paras.
“Sure. That’s a good goal.”

He was starting to understand how Gold worked, so he took the lingering gaze as endorsement enough to discreetly stock up on Poke Puffs… and thought to buy Gold some frosted cupcakes and macarons too, as soon as he spotted a patisserie. Maybe it’ll be easier on Gold’s pride if he snuck off to buy those while Gold was busy eating?

He paid and handed Mycen the Paras charm and a tin of Pokemon food, keeping the rest in a bag.

From:

gold_drum

Mycen accepts the Paras mushroom charm and proudly puts it on his head! Now he's like a Paras! And... tries very hard to hold onto the tin of Pokemon food with his claws. Probably not the best way to feed a Pokemon? Gold takes pity on him and holds onto the tin for him.

Gold doesn't really get the point of the accessory, but Mycen seems to like it well enough, so that's fine, he supposes. More importantly, his tiredness and hunger's starting to catch up to him again, so his footsteps start getting slower again, dragging on the ground. He doesn't want to get lost again, but he's not sure what to do about it. Should he say something? Tell Trip about it? He doesn't want to bother Trip though... But after what happened in the cave, maybe it's better to say something?

"Um..." he says, pausing, hesitating. He stares at his feet, fidgets a little. "Um. Can we..." Rest? Eat? Gold doesn't know which one he should ask for, and how to ask for it without being too demanding, so he ends up just trailing off and not saying anything else. He wants to be a good kid, but he doesn't know how, so he ends up just holding back on everything in fear of being rude.

From:

serperiority

Trip picked up on Gold's slowing footsteps, paying close attention this time.

He felt a strange sort of melancholy wash over him as it truly settled in that he would have to adjust his travels to the pace of a different person now. Trip hated delays and hated to stay in any single place for long. Not that there was any need for him to rush here. Alder sir wasn't around, he didn't even know when he might see him again, so what would it all be for? Nothing would come of rushing here, would it? Maybe it's alright for him to take things slow here...

He also felt a sense of relief that Gold was opening up more to him. He knew it must have been hard for Gold to voice even that much of his needs, so he shouldn't ignore it and waste his efforts.

"I think I see some benches over there," he said, shrugging his shoulder in the direction of some. "You want to sit while I get something for us to eat?"

"Yeah."

His voice was a bit too quiet and distant sounding, so he turned, with a gentler smile. "Sure, let's rest."

From:

gold_drum

Gold is relieved Trip understood what he was trying to ask for, but also a bit ashamed he couldn't speak up. He trundles over to the bench, and sits down, looking down. He sets Mycen's food tin down on the bench beside him, and Mycen hops over to it. Gold watches him eat.

"...Sorry," Gold says quietly to Trip, before he can go get them food. "I'm slow, and I'm selfish, and I can't even pretend to be good." You should leave me behind, Gold thinks about saying, but it gets stuck in his throat because he doesn't actually want to say it, even though he thinks Trip would be better off without him.

From:

serperiority

“It isn’t your fault,” Trip said simply, although he appreciated Gold trying to speak honestly with him.

But the last part cuts him and he looked shocked, then frowned, gently placing a hand on Gold’s shoulder.

“You’ve been very good with me. I don’t care about what you did before… and it’s fine, even if you aren’t good. I’m not either. I’ve done the wrong thing too, even knowing it was wrong. Sometimes for the right reasons, sometimes just for selfish ones.

“I don’t need you to be good l. I just want to know what you want and need.”

He felt embarrassed saying something so frankly, that he turned away quickly.

From:

gold_drum

Gold looks up as Trip hold his shoulder, and listens. It's fine not to be good? That can't be true... But Trip sounds so genuine. Trip telling him he's done the wrong thing while knowing it was wrong kind of shocks him, since... That's just like Gold. He's starting to realize that Trip is a lot like him. That Trip might even understand him, more than Gold ever expected.

If that's the case, is it okay to just... be genuine with Trip and tell him what he's feeling? Because Trip gets it, and won't abandon him even if he's bad?

In that case, maybe it's okay to take a leap of faith and try it.

"Um... I'm hungry," Gold says quietly, "And my legs kinda hurt and I'm tired. But mostly I'm hungry."

From:

serperiority

"Yeah... I figured. Just rest for now, it's okay. It was a really long walk and I probably couldn't have gone this long without eating around your age."

It was an attempt at praise!

Trip looked around, trying to pick out restaurants he could see from here, but decided he'd better figure it out there. "You and Paraspor sit on the bench and wait, I'll bring food. Do you have especially like or dislike?"

He kept his tone as neutral as possible, trying to avoid anything that might make think Gold it's too much trouble.

"Better to know sooner rather than later, that's basic, right?"

From:

gold_drum

Gold nods. Wow, he really can complain without anything bad happening. He even got praised!

"Oh, um, I'll eat anything." He pauses. If it'd be useful to know something he likes or dislikes, then he has to think of something, right? But the only thing that comes to mind is his breakfast from this morning. "I like rice? And soup and veggies and fish... Oh, and I don't really like egg shells." He adds that to the end like it's a food.

From:

serperiority

That last one actually got a blink and a very brief, but genuine, laugh from Trip, although he quickly added (so that Gold won't think he said anything wrong): "I don't think anyone in existence likes eggs shells in their food, no. Don't worry, professional chefs don't make that kind of mistake... not chefs worth their salt, and not normally, anyway."

"Right. I'll get you some fish."

With that, Trip left the two. He might be a little late, as he'll try and look for a patisserie or cafe with Kalosian sweets, too, like he planned earlier when he saw Gold's fascination with the Poke Puffs.

For now, time for Gold to bond more with Paraspor?

From:

gold_drum

Gold blinks in confusion when Trip laughs. Mistake? Oh, right... People don't usually eat the shells. Still, he feels kind of defensive about it, like he should say something in defense of eating egg shells, but... it's not like he even likes them. It's whatever. He can let it pass.

"Okay," Gold says, pouting a little, as Trip leaves. Once Trip's gone, he turns to Mycen.

"Egg shells are fine to eat, okay? They're edible, and it's a waste to throw them away!" he rants, and Mycen pauses in eating and stares at him. Gold looks at Mycen with a pause, like he's imagining a response, and then says "If you wash them properly it's fine!"

Mycen just looks at him with an unreadable kind of expression and offers him a piece of his Pokemon food.

"Huh? Can I have that?" Gold asks. Mycen nods with a chitter, and Gold accepts it. "Thanks," he says, and eats it. It tastes... fine by Gold's standards. Mycen offers him more, but Gold says "Nah, it's fine. Trip's bringing me food soon, so you can keep that, okay? But that's nice of you."

And that's how they bond. By the time Trip returns, Gold's fallen asleep, sitting on the bench. Mycen's finished his food, keeping watch and glancing at each passerby that walks past. When he spots Trip, he waves a claw at him.