Chapter Text
Emotions were never really his strong suit.
That's not to say he didn't feel a thing, opposite really. He felt feeling's just as any other Hocotate would, albeit possibly just a bit tilted. Typically, Louie would use a few methods to avoid some emotions, Those methods have never once failed him, that is of course until now.
Louie had never once met someone like Olimar, the other male was well.. strange to him. Not in the strange that others would think- more so the fact that Olimar was an enigma to Louie- something that had eventually drawn him in. He wasn't too sure what was the starting point of this infatuation, either way he was stuck with it now.
Louie himself wasn't a social person- he wasn't one to go out just to socialize, although he has had his fair share of interacting with people- all in which went horribly. They were never compatible, they couldn't handle Louie- and Louie did not want to change who he was just to gain a friend.
Olimar didn't mind the person he was though..
Despite the fact he had been silent in the beginning, heck he had been downright ignoring Olimar at some points during the trip- Olimar never seemed to bothered. The man had treated him with nothing but patience and kindness, he had even rambled about the local fauna on the planet they were heading to-
It was actually getting rather annoying at just how nice this man was..
Olimar didn't take offence to his lack of vocal communication, nor did he seem to really pry for Louie to speak (something that Louie greatly appreciated). It was beyond unusual- normally he would have been threatened by now to speak more- but there were no threats, no judgemental stares. Just a kind generous man.
The older male had even found ways to better suit Louie, to better communicate his way. It started small at first- no doubt the other thinking of strategies and ways that best suited Louie- ever so thoughtful. But eventually Louie found himself holding a pen and paper, something that had been kindly offered to him by Olimar himself.
Olimar didn't mind his strange.. habits. Sure he had given Louie a look a few times, though they weren't ones of disgust that he was typically used to. More curious. Olimar had even allowed him to cook the many species on this planet (it took a bit of persuading, eventually the other male allowed it) . It was definitely better than eating those cheap noodles..
Eventually, Louie found himself listening into Olimar's rambles instead of tuning them out like he used to- it was probably the biggest indication that Louie had formed some kind of relationship with this man- friendship he supposed, afterall he wasn't one to listen into conversations for this long, especially when they didn't involve food. He even found himself enjoying the others mindless chatter, it was interesting in a way it wouldn't be boring.
At some point during their time on this planet Louie had begun to speak more openly to Olimar, it was strange to talk to someone so frequently- but it was also nice, enjoyable to see the way Olimar lighted up at his presence.
And that was something else Louie realised that he noticed about Olimar- the man was awfully lonely. Louie could relate in that sense- though from what information he has gotten so far, apparently the man hasn't been home in a while- apparently he hasn't even been around people in awhile- he wouldn't explain why- possibly a touchy subject, though there was something Louie knew about his people. They were a social species- so he could somewhat understand why Olimar was quick to touch his shoulder or pat his back. Oddly enough the touch didn't annoy him like it normally did- quite opposite really, so logically Louie was alright with it- it helped Olimar's loneliness and gave him that odd warmth- a suitable silent agreement the two held.
The days were like that, Olimar would be the one holding the conversation and occasionally patting Louie either on the arm or shoulder- and Louie would simply hum along to the others rambling.
Louie doubts that he would have ever met Olimar if it wasn't for him eating all of those golden pik pik carrots- nor if it wasn't for this mission from their boss- at first he had assumed this was the consequences of his actions, consuming what was actually most of the company's expenses and being forced to stay on a planet with someone else, Though now, after a while it didn't seem too bad.
It was actually nice.. Really nice.
Okay possibly just a bit too nice, so what if Louie was cradling something within his heart for the other Hocotatian?.. A married one at that.
Olimar was good company, and Louie found himself yearning for more as the days went by. The man had a heart of gold and was ever so patient with him- despite any accident Louie did the man never yelled- he never threatened him in any way. Louie even found it within himself to joke around Olimar- it was an accident at first, a slip of the tongue. They had found a relic and words spewed from Louie's mouth before he could register it. Whilst the ship reprimanded him, Olimar had seemed shocked, eyes bulging before a snort slipped through his lips.
The man had a nice laugh.. Louie noted..
Louie didn't care for a lot of things, just a few things in his life. His Nana and cooking. That was it. That was all he cared about..
It didn't matter that Olimar was slowly being placed on that very list.
…
The days kept going by slowly- their progress was steady in a way that made the ship a little less annoying- Louie himself had become comfortable in Olimar's presence despite their odd relationship. Each day seemed to enhance their relationship though, it was only them on this lonely yet dangerous planet- so in a way it felt inevitable to get close. Having a friend (he assumed Olimar was a friend now) was foreign- but welcomed, it didn't matter if his heart felt as empty as his stomach.
Desires where something Louie was definitely used too, like for instance the desire to eat something despite it still being burning hot from being placed out of the oven- Olimar was like that; in a sense- a part of Louie wanted Olimar, but Olimar was still burning hot.
It didn't mean he didn't try- he had initiated contact this time (it seemed to alien to admit that out loud), he was curious on what it felt like to hold the other male's hand despite it being gloved- at first when Olimar had given him an odd questioning look, Louie had simply supplied the other with a simple reasoning.
“Won't get lost like this”
He had gotten lost before, right as they entered this planet's orbit he was split from Olimar's side- he wasn't scared to get lost again, but Olimar was… Despite their hands being barricaded by their protective cheap suits, Louie could have sworn he could feel the other man's warmth through it. Sure, using the excuse of being separated again just to hold the other man's hand might have been cruel, but Louie was selfish, he was allowed to be.
Besides, the other never refused. The other never opposed to hold his hand even when not on the field, even when safely secluded in their ship- the other never refused the touch. It was intoxicating. Louie couldn't get enough of it.
It probably should have been shameful to admit feelings had started to bloom, feelings that- if it were any other- would have caused some sort of horror filled realization. But Louie was fine with it, so what if the other was married? So what if maybe he had snooped and read some emails that he shouldn't have. So what if he couldn't take something he wanted? He doubted he could restrain himself from Olimar anyway, the man was like a golden pik pik carrot, once in a lifetime opportunity.
Restraint wasn't his.. best. He knew that, his Nana knew that- it is one of the reasons she forced him to start eating bugs after-all, to satiate his appetite. He took whatever he wanted, took whatever he needed, he could deal with the consequences later.
That didn't mean he could have some sense of accomplishment whenever he was able to chip closer into Olimar's personal space. As the days went by Louie was quick to notice subtle changes in the older man, he could see the way his pointed ears kept lowering after reading each new email- Louie knew what was on those emails, at least some of it. Sure they were personal emails only Olimar should have the right to see, but he was curious, even more curious as to what the situation was now. Louie wasn't too sure if the man would ever spill to him of all people what was troubling him- not because Olimar thought Louie was incapable of understanding- but because Olimar did not seem to be the type of person to want to burden people with his problems.
Olimar was just like that.. Louie noted.
Olimar's wife was spending too much, treating the kids too little.. Louie couldn't help but feel a tad sorry for Olimar and his situation- to be stuck in a place like that whilst unable to do nothing. A part of him wondered what it would be like if Olimar had never been married, perhaps all of this would have been easier. But- if he wasn't married- there was a chance they would have never met. Louie is at least fifty percent sure this man was only working at this dead end job just to provide for his family..
Perhaps he should thank Olimar's wife for being so careless- her actions provided him the means to meet Olimar after-all..
He tried not to, he really did. But he couldn't find it within himself to stop himself from smirking at the thought of their marriage failing. Olimar was a good man- a really really good man that Louie had grown fond of. And that was alien to him, to grow attached to someone so quickly. He didn't want to give that up, not without a fight at least.
He was deadly protective with what he saw as his.
Louie made sure to keep his approach as subtle as possible, he made his presence known by resting his forehead against the man's shoulder, something he had started doing to make the other acknowledge him- Olimar had said it reminded him of the catates back on hocotate- whatever that meant. Louie hated the way Olimar would frown reading those emails.
“L-Louie!”
Perhaps he should stop sneaking around- or at least start making a noise to alert the other of his presence, he didn't want to give the man a heart attack despite how funny his surprised noises were.
Olimar was quick to close the laptop containing the opened emails, either it was from his children or wife he couldn't tell. What he could tell was that the other was nervous, why? He wasn't sure- perhaps he was nervous of Louie seeing his emails- it almost seemed fitting.
It was a soft moment, one that Louie would hold dear to him. Despite the heavy weight Olimar seemed to carry, Louie felt light, lighter than he had ever felt before.
“Did you need something?” Despite the turmoil in those brown eyes he still asked what Louie wanted, it made his heart ache- after all he did want something, it was just too hot to touch just yet. “Did you need the computer?”
No- Louie shook his head at that, after all who would he message? He didn't know many people- and his Nana had trouble with all this technology nowadays.
“Mn.. no. have no one to send to anyway”
It was quiet for a second, but Louie didn't mind, he simply kept resting his forehead against his captain's shoulder. If he had been looking, perhaps then he would have seen the sorrowful look directed his way.
“Oh..” a beat of silence struck the room once more. “So.. what did you need?”
Louie shrugged, he didn't need anything really- he had just wanted to comfort Olimar. “Nothing.. M’looked down. Wanted to comfort”
Speech was slightly slurred into the other man's shoulder blade, though eventually Louie moved his head- just slightly- to allow his golden eyes to pierce into the edges on Olimar's face. An expression was on the man's face, a good one to Louie's knowledge, the edges of his lips had twitched upwards into a fond look, he even had a soft blush dusting his features, making him look even more appetizing then he already was.
“Oh.. why.. Thank you Louie.. That's.. That's really thoughtful of you”
Louie had simply hummed at that, letting his eyes close shut as he enjoyed that moment together- at some point Olimar had even raised an arm up to stroke the small tuft of hair atop of his head. Louie would trade anything to keep this moment lasting forever..
Now.. Louie wasn't good with emotions, though the ones he felt for Olimar just seemed to keep growing. Olimar himself was warm, he was like honey- or warm tea Or perhaps even hot cocoa on a cold day. His presence was like a warm meal after a hard day of work, his Smile was as sweet as cotton candy.
Their hands would last just a tad too long ever since that moment together, their gazes just a tad too hesitant. Olimar had eyes of chocolate, a lovely brown color- like a perfectly cooked steak.
Their hugs meant everything to Louie, one that would always make him exhale and would cause Olimar to let out a soft chuckle. Sometimes when they held hands Louie would intertwine them, just to see how far he could push. He couldn't deny that he loved the feeling of Olimar's hand in his, to feel the way work has hardened those hands. They even had small scars.. Louie chuckled at the thought of Olimar fighting.
Olimar would never pull away. Not once did the other man stop his actions, he never stopped his approach, never stopped Louie's actions. It was cute how hesitant the older man was sometimes- how timid Olimar could get after Louie wrapped his arms around him from behind one day.
He wondered if Olimar would ever call him out for his suspicious actions..
Funny- how with anyone else Louie would have hissed at them if they even dared to touch him, But Olimar? He would allow Olimar into his bubble.
Unlike with most people, Louie began to grow accustomed to Olimar's touch, after all it was comforting unlike others. Olimar was soft- soft and warm. He liked the way Olimar's hands felt, He liked the way their hugs felt. Louie wondered what it would feel like to hug Olimar in bed..
He doubted he could ask now, with the way the other was snoring faintly in the distance. He would have to ask another night, possibly tomorrow- Louie didn't particularly like waiting when he knew he wanted something. It felt strange to do so- and technically they were on a time limit- so waiting around seemed.. Inconvenient.
Louie had until they retrieved the quota to try and seduce a married man.