Chapter Text
V sat on the edge of his couch in his H10 flat about to dial Kerry with a nervous smile on his face.Two days ago he had found a small scared Mimikyu huddled in an alley near the edge of Watson. The little thing had been alone and trembling every time footsteps passed too close. V had always wanted a Mimikyu. Something about the way it stayed hidden yet clearly wanted connection pulled at him in a way nothing else quite did. He had spent the last couple of nights earning its trust with food, music and talking to it softly for an hour or so until it finally built up the courage to approach V.
Now it was in a small pen in the corner of the flat with soft blankets piled high to keep the Mimikyu comfortable and calm as it adjusted to its new surroundings. The little Pokémon was nestled inside it now looking much more at ease than it had when V first found it.
Hitting Kerry’s contact info, V waited for him to pick up.
“Hey V.” Kerry answered clearly in the middle of tuning up one of his guitars.
V smiled at the sound of Kerry tuning in the background. "Hey. You got a minute or are you deep in the middle of something."
"Just messing around with some new riffs," Kerry answered. His voice carried that easy rocker calm even through the holo. "What is up with you. You sound like you are about to bounce off the walls over there."
V took a breath and tried to keep the excitement from spilling out too obviously. "I was wondering if you could come over to my place. I have a surprise I really want to show you. Something I think you will like. And if you are already messing with guitars maybe bring one with you when you come. I would love to hear you play a little while you are here."
There was a short pause on the line. Kerry chuckled. "A surprise and a request for live music. You are full of requests today. Alright I am curious enough. I can head over in about twenty minutes or so. That work for you."
"Perfect," V said his grin widening. "Oh and one more thing before you get here. You do not have to worry about hiding your shiny objects or anything like that. Sableye is put away in its Pokéball for once. So no little thief sneaking around grabbing your rings while you are not looking."
Kerry laughed outright at that. "Well that is a relief. Usually I have to do a full pocket check before I leave your place. See you soon then V."
The call ended. V turned toward the small pen in the corner. The Mimikyu was nestled deep in the pile of soft blankets. V crouched beside the pen and spoke in the same low gentle tone he had used the past couple nights.
"Kerry is coming over little guy. He is bringing his guitar too. I thought maybe some music would help you feel even safer here. You are doing so good already. Just stay cozy in there and we will take it slow."
The Mimikyu gave a tiny soft sound and shifted a little deeper into the blankets. Its costume ears twitched but it did not pull away. V stayed there a moment longer humming the same quiet tune until he heard the knock at the door.
He stood and crossed the flat. When he opened the door Kerry stood there with a guitar case slung over one shoulder and that familiar half smile on his face.
"You made it," V said stepping aside to let him in. "Thanks for coming on short notice."
Kerry walked inside and set the guitar case down against the wall. "Could not pass up a mystery surprise from my favorite merc and an excuse to play. So where is this big thing you wanted me to see."
V rubbed the back of his neck a little shy now that the moment was here. "It's over in the corner. Just go slow okay. It's still getting used to new people and new places."
He led Kerry to the pen. The Mimikyu had tucked itself smaller at the sound of the new voice but one big eye peeked out from under the edge of its costume. The pile of blankets rose and fell with its breathing.
Kerry leaned in carefully his usual high energy dialed all the way down. "Is that a Mimikyu. Where did you even find one of those."
V nodded his voice soft with quiet pride. "In an alley a couple days ago near Watson. It was all alone and scared every time someone walked past. I could not just leave it there. I have always wanted one. They are kind of perfect you know. The way they stay hidden but still want to be close to someone."
Kerry stayed quiet for a moment watching as the Mimikyu peeked out a little more. A small genuine smile crossed his face. "Yeah. I can see why you like it. Poor little thing looks like it has been through hell and back."
A small flush of embarrassment crept up the back of V’s neck as he prepared to ask. He rubbed at it absently and looked down at his hands for a second before meeting Kerry's eyes again. The request felt oddly personal now that the moment was here.
"That song you made for me," V said his voice a little quieter than before. "The stripped down acoustic version of Never Fade Away. I played it for the Mimikyu a few times while I was earning its trust. It really seemed to like your voice in it. Like it calmed down faster whenever that track came on."
Kerry's eyebrows lifted just a fraction but the small smile stayed in place.
V continued before he could lose his nerve. "The thing is the Mimikyu does not realize yet that you are the one who sang it. It only knows the recording. I was wondering if you could play that one live right now. See if it recognizes the voice and maybe comes a little closer. It might help it feel safer with you here."
Kerry let the silence stretch for a moment while he studied V's face then gave a low chuckle that carried no bite.
"You played my song for the little guy to win it over," Kerry said his tone light and teasing. "I am flattered. Or maybe a little jealous that a recording of me got to spend all that quality time with your new friend before I did. You really went all out on the charm offensive didn't you."
"It worked didn't it. The Mimikyu really responded to your voice in it. I just thought maybe the real thing would help even more."
Kerry's smile softened into something warmer. He gave a small nod. "Alright. Let's try it then. No harm in seeing if live beats the recording."
They shifted so both of them were sitting comfortably on the floor in front of the pen. V reached over and carefully unlatched the small door letting it swing open so the Mimikyu had the choice to come out whenever it felt ready. The pile of blankets inside shifted a little as the Pokémon noticed the change but it stayed nestled for now its eye peeking toward them with cautious interest.
Kerry settled the guitar across his lap again and started into the stripped down acoustic version of Never Fade Away. His voice joined in low and steady carrying the melody. The sound filled the space gently and immediately the Mimikyu's ears perked up. It recognized the voice now that it was live and right there in the room. The little Pokémon gave a tiny questioning sound and inched forward until it reached the open doorway.
V stayed perfectly still as his gaze switched between the Mimikyu and Kerry, hoping the little guy would come out and join them.
The Mimikyu paused at the threshold of the pen then took one small careful step out onto the floor. Its body stayed mostly hidden under the costume but it was clearly drawn by the familiar voice. Another step followed and it settled just outside the pen still within easy reach of its blankets if it needed to retreat. The eye stayed fixed on Kerry as he continued playing and singing the soft arrangement.
Kerry kept the song going his fingers moving easily over the strings. Every so often he glanced at the Mimikyu with that same gentle smile. "Guess it really does like the real deal better. Smart little thing."
The Mimikyu slowly made its way to Kerry feeling slightly more comfortable with each small step across the floor. Its eye stayed fixed on him and the source of the familiar voice as it closed the remaining distance. When it reached his side it paused for a moment then gently reached out with one small appendage and touched the side of the guitar with clear interest. The contact was light and curious as if it was trying to understand where the sound was coming from.
Kerry kept his movements slow and deliberate. He let the Mimikyu explore the instrument without pulling away or changing his posture too quickly. His fingers stayed light on the strings and he softened his voice even further into a gentle hum so the sound would not startle the little Pokémon. The Mimikyu tapped the guitar once more then seemed satisfied enough to move closer still. It climbed up onto Kerry's leg with careful little motions until it could settle properly.
Kerry adjusted just enough to give it space but kept his hands visible and his body still. He continued the soft hum of the song without any sudden shifts in volume or rhythm. The Mimikyu tested the spot for a moment then curled up fully in his lap tucking itself against the warmth and the steady vibration of the guitar. Its costume rose and fell with slower breaths as the tension from earlier finally eased away. Within a few minutes it had fallen asleep right there its small form relaxed and trusting in a way it had not been since V first found it.
V watched the whole thing with quiet satisfaction. He stayed seated on the floor beside them not wanting to disturb the moment. Kerry glanced over at V with a small smile still humming the last soft notes of the song so the sound would fade gradually instead of stopping abruptly.
"Looks like I passed the test," Kerry said his voice low so he would not wake the sleeping Pokémon. "It really does like the real thing better than the recording."
V nodded his expression warm as he looked at the Mimikyu curled in Kerry's lap. "Yeah it does. Thank you for doing that. I think this is the calmest it has been since I brought it home."
They sat there together on the floor the guitar resting gently against Kerry's side and the Mimikyu sleeping soundly between them. The open pen door stayed that way in case the little Pokémon wanted to return to its blankets later but for now it seemed perfectly content where it was.