"...Ya Really Don't Believe That?"

@punkbites // Continued;

"Funny? I ain't no clownfish now, am I?"

He doesn't like this guy's attitude right now. Cheekfins flare up a little at the accusatory point in his direction, but he doesn't make much more of a move other than that.

"...Might take a bit."

Not a lie. He heals incredibly slow. Most merfolk do.

"I'll pay y'all back somehow fer this. Promise." That might have come out wrong. "In a positive way, I mean."

Archie lets out a soft gasp at the push, staring in bewilderment for a split second, before his grin reappears.

So they were doing this.

Thankfully he's healing up just fine, so he has less of an issue shifting his tail into legs. Still, the cheekfins and sharp teeth remain. Was it because he thought it looked cool? Or was it because it was still a bit of an effort to shift back to a human form fully? Doesn't matter much.

Still... He's not gonna be forced down so easily. He refuses to give up without a fight.

So he gently reaches for Guzma's sides, before suddenly and roughly trying to roll over on the bed so he comes out on top.

Well fuck. He got you there bug boy.

"Shut the fuck--!", he starts, any complaints muffled in the umpteenth kiss. And hairpull.

…okay. We're gonna sit here and let the fish manhandle us for much longer, Guzma? Absolutely fucking not. Still keeping contact and not really caring if that would lead to a much harsher grip on either his throat or hair ( whatever, man, it's not like he doesn't like it! ), obe of Guzma's hands pressed harshly on the other's chest, pushing him down - taking control of the situation.

80% of the ocean is unexplored by YOU GUYS. i've seen the whole thing

"Yeah I tutor the Kahuna's grandkid. What 'bout it?"

Aaaand they're rolling back. He might've underestimated the pain that still lingered in his body. Archie winces briefly, but he's not gonna let it stop their fun.

Normally he'd continue fighting, but his side is screaming at him to Not Do That right now... So naturally, he attempts it again-- --Yep, Guzma's still on top after a failed attempt. Okay, let's try something else, then. A hand reaches for Guzma's back, and he digs in his nails, returning the favour.

Oh this is happening alright, in his own goddamn terms--

"-fuck!"

…nevermind I fucking guess. Guzma remained stunned for half a second before letting out yet another sgrunt, the hand on Archie's jaw tightening as he--

…yeah, he's trying to roll then over again - one hand on the former Aqua's face, another sliding under his shirt, nails dragged on his back, mouth a little too occupied on the other's to saw anything sarcastic.

Alola's weirdest wrestling match.

PROMPTS FOR ENEMIES TO LOVERS *  assorted dialogue for that slow build up of reluctant interest and romantic curiosity between enemies, adjust as necessary

you didn't have to help me, you know. you could have just left me there.

are you... flirting with me? was that flirting?

dinner's on me. we can work out our differences then.

you're not as bad as i thought.

i'm shocked. that was actually impressive, what you just did. i didn't think you had it in you.

we've been going at it for hours.

this doesn't mean i like you.

please step out of my way.

if you just gave me a chance to prove myself...

you've got me all wrong.

i don't actually hate you.

i didn't know you could do that.

you don't have to believe everything they tell you about me.

you're kinda cute for an asshole.

i'm not here to be made fun of.

it was just a kiss. it didn't mean anything.

when did i ask you for advice?

let me make this clear. i don't like you. i will never like you. i am just using you for your expertise, and that's it.

i don't care what you think of me.

why can't you just see me for me?

it's a shame you're such an asshole.

we could have had something.

that was before i realized who you were.

i think i deserve a little respect.

why do you keep looking at me like that?

stop staring at my ass!

maybe i misjudged you.

i was pretty mean back then, wasn't i?

i never gave you a chance to explain yourself.

you're not as bad as i thought you'd be.

let's bury the hatchet.

i heard that!

what were you saying about me?

was that... a compliment?

i think we got off on the wrong foot.

let's try again. let me reintroduce myself.

can we call a truce?

we're never going to get anything done if we're at each other's throats.

are you the one that vouched for me?

i'll have to admit... that was pretty great.

think of the things we could accomplish if we just worked together.

you need my help. i need yours.

what you did back there... that was impressive.

i didn't ask for your help back there.

why are you helping me?

i thought you hated my guts.

that was a little uncalled for.

great, but i still don't trust you.

stop staring at me like that.

we both have something the other needs.

i don't need a babysitter.

let's start over. try this again.

you're the one who got us into this mess, not me.

i thought you said you didn't want to help me.

maybe it would be smarter if we worked together.

i don't like working with you, but maybe i have to.

this would be a lot easier if you just listened to me.

why do you hate me so much?

you're the one that kissed me!

i never gave you a chance to explain yourself.

they were wrong about you. i... was wrong about you.

there's a lot more to me than meets the eye.

you're not so bad yourself.

what ever happened to "i will never work with you as long as i live?"

what made you change your mind about me?

i can take care of myself, you know.

"Mhm. That's the name."

"'S nice t'meetcha, Cataleya. Even if it's under admittedly weird circumstances."

As for needing anything... He ponders for only a moment, before turning his head to look at the Pokéballs on the little makeshift table near the tub.

"How 'bout some grub for my partners? I bet they're real hungry right 'bout now."

- ✖

Oh. Plumeria was being entirely serious when she told her about this.

"Yeah... I'm another Admin in Team Skull. She more or less told me what's going on here. Are...are you good? Do you need anything?"

This man has a fish tail. He really is a merfolk, then. Reminds her of folk tales her mom told her when she was little. Considering their ties to Tapu Fini and the sea, the people of Seafolk Village have all kinds of stories like this. But he probably has nothing to do with that...

Whatever his situation is, she can worry about it later.

"Oh, right, my name's Cataleya. You're Archie, yeah?"

smiles.

@mnstcrbnll

"How has it been weeks since I started playin' this game..." He's still playing Pokémon Crossing...

real reason maxie doesn't wear the hood of his hoodie up much

(ft. @wingbeatz )