Pure exposition, Johto. Content is mostly fluff, with some undue hostility.

Quilava was very vocal. When he started to shudder, stammer, gasp: he would bury his face into sheets and pillow to muffle it, it embarrassed him. Croconaw, however, loved it. If he weren't so intent on keeping their relationship a secret, he would have done anything he could have to keep that head up and mouth open. It just so happened that the Big Jaw Pokémon was fiercely protective of their roommate Bayleef. If it weren't for the fact he was often on the top floor of their complex visiting Grovyle they'd never have time alone.

RipeLum Residence hosted a whole trove of Pokémon. It was an attractive domicile if price was an issue and space was not. This was the best quite a few of the locals could do. It was a step above meager, anyhow. Nobody really complained.

Croconaw stood at the counter scrubbing clean a Poffin tin that Bayleef had wrecked in his most recent phase of interest. The timid Quilava was perched on their recycled sofa in the other room, staring absentmindedly through the picture window that faced the south side of the city. He took a tentative glance at the water Pokémon, watching him work from behind.

Croconaw wore a blue hoodie that he kept open to show the pale yellow t-shirt he wore underneath. The jacket itself cut at the elbows into the same fallow color as his undershirt, mismatched shapes of blue positioned dotted about the sleeves. The zipper of this particular article was the same red as a very conspicuous streak of red in his hair, which he always kept brushed to the side and covering the corner of his eye. His face was intimidating at rest; he had pointed eyes and a strong jaw, which he often ground in thought. If one was familiar with Croconaw, however, they found they could tell easily when he was being warm in contrast to one of his foul moods. Croconaw was definitely prone to foul moods.

He was rather heavyset, with round cheeks and a broad torso, which he appreciated. He believed his size made him threatening, and he was proud of that. He turned and made eye-contact with the Volcano Pokémon, making him blush and turn away. He chuckled to himself; the poor thing was still afraid of him? He set down the dishes and approached the fire type, standing directly in front of him, arms set firmly on his hips. Quilava avoided eye contact for a moment, but when the water type made it obvious he wasn't going anywhere he looked tentatively up.

"Cona?" He murmured. Croconaw put his hands on either side of Quilava's head and grinned widely, lowering until their noses were an inch apart. He took a hand and casually brushed a bit of Quilava's unkempt hair from his eyes. One of these days, he was sure they'd get along. He was rather certain he'd hurt him once or twice when they were together- but surely he wouldn't keep this attitude for just that? He took a step back to regard him. His hair was unusual, a navy blue with two long tresses trailing past his ears that bore an orange and red color- like fire. Aside from that he had bright, burgundy eyes that projected his emotions very lucidly. They seemed frozen as they held eye-contact, Quilava looked like he had stopped breathing altogether.

There was a creak from the door, and the hiatus was broken. Croconaw turned around and raised his brow- it was Bayleef.

"Oh," The leaf type said as if he hadn't expected them to be here. He had a fresh case of Poffins to make up for the one's he'd ruined earlier. They were in all sorts of flavors, with special consideration to Aspear berries, as they were Croconaw's favorite. "Hey you two. I brought these by."

He was as happy-go-lucky as ever, and coupled with being naïve and gentlehearted he was a regular softie. Croconaw approached the grass type and took the box, giving him only the slightest of smiles to communicate his happiness. Quilava unwrapped his arms from his legs and looked up, watching Bayleef as he situated himself in the kitchen. He boasted a full head of cream colored hair that complimented his carmine eyes. Light colors, being his favorite, also comprised his clothes. He wore a loose yellow T that turned green at the rim, the same color of his capris. Bayleef's prized possession is what finished off his look, a riviere of bright green florets that formed a ring around his neck, resting perfectly on collar.

Croconaw set the box down and switched on the stove, he was sure his roommates could do with a cup of tea. Quilava watched the exchange plaintively, hugging a couch cushion to his chest. He met Croconaw's eye again and it glinted dangerously. Another reminder of how Croconaw felt towards his fire type friend.

Quilava knew that he was hungry for him, what he didn't understand was why he kept it a secret. The Crocodile was proud, he knew this… But he didn't understand what lengths he would go to in order to convince his favorite grass type he was the same guardian he was when they were pre-evolved. Quilava, conversely, only knew Croconaw to be a bully.

The water type, being stubborn and hostile, was more than Quilava could handle. By moving in with the duo, he had bitten off more than he could chew. To make matters worse, he couldn't fathom what had occurred in their past to make such an unlikely couple so close.

Unbeknownst to him, it was in his best interests not to.

"Hey, Cona," Said Bayleef lightheartedly as he prepared three mugs with their favorite brews.

"Mnn," hummed Croconaw in response absent-mindedly.

"I hope you don't mind, Prinplup has nothing to do today so I invited her over."

"Do what you like," Returned the water type, feigning his usual indifference. Even to the Pokémon that mattered most to him, he found it difficult to express himself outright. Pride got in the way of everything.

"She'll be here around noon," Bayleef continued, watching the water-type's face for a reaction that didn't come. He looked back to the mugs with a pressed smile. He would have to take Croconaw as he was.