Chapter Text
Melli was at a loss with the new warden from the pearl clan. The man was odd to say the least. Ingo, Sneasler's warden, the man who fell from the sky. He wore strange clothes, yelled odd things, knew how to tame pokemon, but the thing that bothered Melli the most was the way he acted. Ingo kept to himself even after the two clans made an agreement to end their distaste for each other. Everytime Adaman or any other diamond member would lend an olive branch for Ingo to partake in, the pearl clan member would decline. It was to the point it started to offend Melli. Adaman just offered the pearl clan to their mud baths and natural springs. All but Ingo accepted his offer. Melli took offense to it. How can a lowly pearl be so disrespectful?
"Can't Irida just make him go! It is not everyday we offer our bath house to them." Melli was clearing out the area of where a new statue of diagia would go. He was talking mostly to his clan leader but did not care if the others heard. Maybe the other pearl clan members can guilt Ingo into partaking.
"Melli drop it, if warden Ingo declines it's his choice. Not everyone likes the idea of bathing with strangers. Hell you don't even bathe with everyone else. You have your own personal spring." Adaman chuckled "Wasn't it because your beauty would be too much for the simple man." He lightly taps Melli on the back. The other wardens helping with the shine snickered.
Melli felt his face burn, "We are not making this about me. This is about a man who never wants to be around others! He must get lonely, it's not normal." Adaman could read Melli's face. There was more to this than just Ingo declines.The tall warden always felt lonely since he found it hard to be friends with.
"Warden Ingo likes to keep to himself. Ever since he came into the clan." Galeric stated. He was helping move heavy stones. "You can't blame him, he was unwelcome even within our own clan. His odd words did not help his case. I know we trust each other now but to be an outcast for so long must have taken a toll on him."
"I can not believe what I am hearing! The diamond clan wouldn't have been so heartless to one of our own! Even to one as odd as Ingo. I, the great Melli, will mend this!" The Warden stood proudly. Rushing off leaving the heavy work to the others. Melli knew Ingo was helping gather some fruit for tonight's gathering. After searching most of the clan's farmland he found the man he was looking for. Ingo picking some apples at the edge of the field away from the others. Maybe Galeric was right, the man just dislikes being around people. "Warden!" Melli waved at Ingo.
The man in black stopped what he was doing, picking up his basket of goods. "Warden Melli, am I needed for something?" He gave off his famed frown.
"No, I wanted to ask you if you will join us in the hot springs tonight. We all have been working hard and it would be a nice treat for us all to enjoy together."
"I have to decline. It's my turn to run the night watch. I thank you for the offer."
Melli clicked his tongue in disappointment. Ingo had a good excuse to miss out tonight. "Very well. I shall join you tonight so that we can enjoy the spring together in the morning."
"Warden Melli, you shouldn't change your plans for me. Wouldn't you rather bathe with everyone tonight? It's a celebration after working hard for the day. Don't miss out on my behalf."
"It would just be us two. I can let you use my soaps. Just because we live in the wilds we don't have to smell like it." Melli smiled. He never offered his personal stash to anyone else before Ingo had to say yes. “By your smell you could really use it.”
"Melli," the man gave a dejected sigh. "I don't feel comfortable bathing with others. I'm not like the rest of you. I'm different."
He started to walk back to the village. Leaving Melli speechless. What did he mean not like the rest of you? Melli ran over grabbing Ingo on his shoulder. "Ingo you are making it hard for me to do something nice for you. I'm trying hard to make amends for all the awful things I have done to you.” Melli quickly let go once seeing Ingo eyes start to water. Oh melli you done it now. “I should have not touch you. I’m sorry. Please, I promise it 's worth it. You feel great after."
Ingo could see taller man truly meant it. There was no venom in his words. Not like the last time they talked to each other.. "Melli, I thank you for the offer but I do not like bathing with others. It's a personal reason."
The tall purple-haired man clicked his tongue. He could not let this go for some reason. Maybe because out of everyone who he talked to Ingo was quite nice to him even before the clans tried to make peace with one another. "What if I kept watch? No one will enter the spring while you are there. If it means that much to bathe alone I will make sure no one will bother you. I'll even take you to my personal favorite. Please Ingo let me do this for you. I know how it feels to be an outcast. For others not to understand."
Ingo stopped in his tracks. Turning around to see a somber looking warden. Curiosity got the best of him. "I'm off at sunrise. I'll meet you by the watch tower. Please don't keep me waiting."
Melli felt nothing but pride. Ingo said yes! "You won't regret this."
Morning came. Melli was already at the tower waiting for Ingo. Since the other warden was still on watch, he thought it would be a good idea to groom his loyal Skuntank. The skunk pokemon purred as it was being brushed.
"Morning warden Melli." Ingo finally showed up. Seeing Melli groom his pokemon calm his nerves. Maybe the Diamond warden didn't care if Ingo was anti-social. He only cared about his personal grooming habits. It was a sigh of relief. "You're skuntank has to be the cleanest I've ever seen. You take personal grooming personal don't you?"
Melli cocked an eyebrow, "like I said last night. Just because we live in the wild doesn't mean we have to smell like it. As for my beloved pet here. Why shouldn't I spoil him like I do myself. Skuntank has been by my side since I was young."
"I suppose you're right. Shall we make our way to our destination?"
"We shall," Melli lead Ingo to the hot springs the diamond clan was of.
Seeing how open it was made Ingo nervous. There was little to no coverage. This wouldn't work. "Warden, I think I changed my mind."
Melli stopped. looking at the now scared looking man. "Oh no the great Melli does not bathe with others. My beauty is too great for a common man. We are going to my personal spring. Trust me no one will walk up on you. I promise."
That made Ingo laugh. "Sorry for the delay. We can continue forward." They continue walking past the springs to a grove hidden from view. The spring was covered by trees and the cliff side. There was only one way in. Ingo did notice that there were some of Melli's personal belongings already here. A towel, some soaps, fresh clean clothes, and a robe. "You did this all for me? Thank you Melli you are a kind friend." Ingo had a rare smile on his face.
Melli felt a small blush grace his face. Ingo thought of him as a friend. "As promised, a place you can bathe with no prying eyes. I'm the only one who bothered to find this place. The rest of the clan are too afraid to venture off the beaten path." Melli looked at Ingo. He was still smiling. It made melli feel good. "you can use it as you please not just today. I promise I'm the only one who knows about it."
Ingo looked in awe at how beautiful the area was. Smile still gracing his face, "Thank you. I think I'll take you up on that offer."
Melli stood there awkwardly, "I'll wait out here. Just call if you need anything. I'll be out here keeping watch." He left without waiting for an answer.
Ingo waited till he could no longer see the other warden. Once he knew Melli was gone. Ingo began to peel off his clothes. His prized coat was folded with care. Next the hat was placed on top. Ingo wiggled off his shoes, sweater, and pants. Looking over his shoulder one more time just to make sure Melli was not looking. The other was nowhere to be seen. Ingo took off his black compression shirt and under garments. Ingo took off his makeshift binder. Yes this chest is no longer the size it once was, but he still wore it more as a reminder how far his body changed. He undid the small bun in his hair.
He took a sigh of relief and settled into the water. The warm water eased the pain from his night shift. Melli was right, these springs were wonderful. He let the water work into his sore muscles before grabbing the wash cloths and soaps. The soap smelled just like Melli. The man had great taste. Ingo lather his hair with the sakura smelling soap. Letting the cut through the dirt and grime. Once his hair was clean he worked on washing his body. Ingo didn't realize how dirty he was. The body scrub was cutting through all the dirt he didn't even know he had. Ingo grabbed the razor Melli left behind. He cleared off the stubble from his check. Not realizing he let it grow wild the last few days. Once clean, Ingo relaxed for a moment before getting out to dry off. He noticed clothes left behind were Melli's. He was half tempted to just redress in his own dirty clothes but decided against it. The other was kind enough to let him bath and use his personal stash of soaps. Ingo wore other's much larger clothes. The tall warden jacket did a good enough job at hiding his chest. He can grab his other clean binder once he gets home. For extra measure he wrapped himself in the robe left behind as well. He walked out of the little grove and was greeted with hearing Melli still grooming his skuntank singing with every brush. "Thank you, I feel refreshed."
Melli sat up, looking at Ingo in his clothes. The other man looked just as handsome as himself. His platinum hair is still undone from his usual bun. "You're welcome." Ingo yawned rubbing his eyes. How could the great Melli forget Ingo was up all night. The other must be dead tired. "It's not a far walk to my yurt from here. It's much closer than your own. Why don't you sleep there today? I did keep you up later than need be."
"You already did so much for me. I don't want to be more of a burden." Ingo yawned once more. His eyes began to droop.
"Nonsense, come before I have you fall asleep standing up." Melli leads them to his yurt. They didn't talk much on the way there. Ingo kept yawning more as they walked. Once in the yurt Ingo all but fell onto the bed. He didn't try to fight his body. Ingo was just too tired. He fell into a peaceful rest as soon as hit the pillow.
Melli rolled his eyes. This man needs to stop punishing himself for no reason. Letting the other sleep, the owner of the house decided to wash Ingo dirty clothes. He could smell them where Ingo left them on the small table by the bed stand. Melli eyed the filthy articles. They smelled absolutely awful. He couldn't let the smell set in his home. Carefully, he went to wash the clothes. He knew that Ingo's coat and hat meant the world to him. He took his time washing them. The pearl clan tunic, long sleeve, and pants were washed just as carefully. Next was his undergarments. Melli made a face but continued. There was one extra item that Melli had never seen before. He examined the cloth fabric. He thought it was a short shirt of some kind. Maybe Ingo wears this because it is so hot to be his stupid jacket all the damn time. Melli held the item to his chest. Hmm Ingo may be on to something. He proceeded to wash the last item, leaving them to dry.
Melli yawned not realizing he was up early to make sure Ingo would keep his word about the springs. He went back into his yurt. Ingo was still fast asleep. Only taking up a small amount of the bed. Melli decided to lay down on the free space. He shouldn't mind, it's my bed after all. Melli watched his guest snore clearly in a deep slumber. Looking at the other warden made Melli's heart flutter. Ingo was beautiful without all the grime caked on his face. He brushed the white strand of hair off that stuck to Ingo goatee. He cleans up well. Melli closed his eyes. Content with his job. Who says he couldn't make any friends.