#oh leon. buddy. puts my hand on your shoulder

[listofwhyyouloveher]

hii could you do something with steve (+ soda if that's okay :))) where reader comes in with all these socs to get their car fixed and the socs are being like rude and stuff but reader is like actually nice to the greasers and talks to them??????

Summary: In which you are a soc going in to the DX to get a car fixed with your friends when you meet Steve and Soda.

Warnings: none

Author's Note: put both in the same fic because let's be honest, they would not go to work without each other.

Ever since you moved to Tulsa you always thought the soc vs greaser thing was dumb. Although it's not like you could say much about it because your parents were always wealthy. You just kept your opinions to yourself and tried to be as kind as possible to everyone.

Your friends car broke down in the middle of a ride to the movie theater so you took it to the nearest repair shop, the DX. The guys spent about an hour pushing the car up and when the entered the shop they groaned.

“If I knew there were a bunch of greasers in here, I would've left the pushing to them” One guy said and the rest laughed.

“Probably would've been quicker too, since y'all are a bunch of babies,” you pointed at your friends. The greasers snickered and one stood up to take a look at the car. Your friends mumbled something together but you just walked away.

The store was well taken care of, clean and neat, so you found yourself leaning at the front counter when one of the greasers walked up to you. His nametag read “Sodapop”.

“Hey,” He said, trying to make small talk.

“Hi, interesting name.” You said, pointing at his name tag.

“Thanks, my dad was an interesting person.” He leaned against the counter, mimicking your movements watching his buddy inspect the car. The guy working on the car shouted something to Sodapop and he shouted something back.

“That’s Steve,” He said.

“Y/n,” You put your hand out for him to shake. One of your friends, Leon, taps you on the shoulder.

“What're you doing, shaking hands with some greaser?” You rolled your eyes. Leon had always liked you, though you rejected him many times.

“Oh shove off, Leon.” You said, stepping back away from him, bringing you closer to Soda. He gives Soda a look before walking off.

The one called Steve came up to you and Soda.

“He's gonna jump you for that,” he nudges Soda, and he breaks into a grin.

“Should I come to you to patch me up?” Soda asks you with a wink.

“Hey Soda, why don't you go fix some cars or sum” Steve says pushing Soda away while grinning. Soda laughed and walked away.

“Sorry about him, he's a flirt” Steve said, watching as Soda fixed the car up.

“It's all good” You nodded in his direction. “Steve, right?”

“He told you?” He asked and you nodded again. “Guess he's looking out for the both of us” He smirked and winked at you.

[simping-for-joe]

Would be willing to write a part two for heels over head? it's so good and I'd like to request it if so

Don’t Take My Heart, Don’t Break My Heart

Leon Kennedy X Chubby! Single-Mom! Reader

Part 1

Leon watches Finn for you, and he gets to know you a bit better

Y/N: I'm really glad you liked the first part! I was a little worried it was a little aimless but I did plan to do another part. Lowkey I need to write more older Leon. At this point I might need another part for this story

(Title from "Head over Heels" by Tears for Fears)

Leon double-checks his apartment, making sure it doesn't look like a disaster. Better yet, that a kid won't get into anything they aren't supposed to. He here's the knock at his apartment door and tenses up a bit. Taking a deep breath, he opens the door greeted by you and Finn.

"Hey!" You smile brightly and wave.

"Hi, Mr. Leon!" Finn greets him with a smile. His backpack is secure on his shoulders.

"Hey to you both," He says softly, opening his door wider for you both to enter. Finn enters before you, finding a spot on Leon's couch, you approach him.

“Okay Finn, be good for Leon please.” You kiss his forehead as he nods eagerly. You turn to Leon with a soft smile. "Thanks again for doing this for me."

"It's no problem," he brushes it off with a wave with of his hand. "We're neighbors after all." He assures you with a soft smile. You give him a smile back, really appreciating all that he was doing for you.

"I should be back by eight, and you know you don't have to feed him. I can definitely do that."

"I don't mind." Leon assures you, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder. "Finn is in safe hands." You look at him, and as his blue eyes meet yours. You believe him and trust him.

"You boys have fun." You say with a smile and a wave.

"Bye mom!" Finn says happily as he watches you leave. His legs kicking as he sits on the sofa.

"Alright buddy... you want to do anything?" Leon turns to Finn curiously.

"Mom says I have to finish homework first." He sighs thinking about it.

"Oh gotcha, if you need any help let me know." Leon adds on before leaving Finn to do his work. He tried to not worry too much about him as he did his own thing.

Leon doesn't know how he ended up on the floor on the floor with Uno cards and an eight year old but he that's where he was.

"Okay... I pick red." Leon decides after thinking for a moment. Finn can't hide his smile as he puts down his final card.

"I win!" The boy declares happily.

"Dang, you got me!" He declares feigning upset. He watches as the boy celebrates, and Leon smiles softly. As he watches the bright smile on his face, he can't help but think of Sherry. When they were traveling together after Raccoon city. A knock at the door distracts him from their game. "Wait here for a minute," he tells the boy before he stands. Groaning a bit as he does, he opens to the door to see you with a smile and slightly exhausted look.

"Mom!" Finn runs up and hugs you tightly. You hug him back squeezing him a bit. He rushes off to grab his things, leaving you and Leon in the doorway.

"How was he?" You ask softly.

"Great, he's a really good kid." Leon assures you gently. "And if you ever need help again don't hesitate, okay..?" He looks at you with a soft look in his kind blue eyes. You nod gently in return.

"Thank you..." You reply softly, feeling your cheeks getting a little warm from his gaze. Leon notices and feels his own face get warmer.

"Got everything!" Finn announces happily, his backpack secure on his shoulders. Interrupting whatever was happening between you and Leon.

"Alright, ready to go home?" You ask Finn gently to which he nods eagerly. "Thank you again, Finn say thank you."

"Thank you Mr. Leon!" He replies happily. "I had fun!" He adds on cheerfully, to which the man can't hide a smile.

"It was no problem." Leon says with a nod. You turn to leave but the man suddenly grabs your shoulder gently. You look to him, his blue eyes meeting yours. "I-I'll see you around, right?" A smile comes to your lips.

"I'd be disappointed if I didn't." You say your cheeks red and he only nods breathlessly.

"Yeah..." Is all he can manage to say as he watches you and your son return to your apartment. His cheeks warm as he shuts the door to his apartment.

[obsidiancreates]

Out Of The Shadows and Into The Neon (Part 7)

"Alright, champ!" Leon hops around a bit, fists up in a defensive position. "Ready for your first real spar?"

Leo raises his own fists. "Dad? Um, aren't you a little... tall, for me to spar with?"

Leo look four feet down at his 10 year old son. "Good point... but Pop-Pop didn't want to, and I don't think your brothers can defend well enough yet."

"What about Uncle Casey? Or Auntie April?"

"They're taller than you too."

"But they aren't giants! You're taller than everyone!"

"So what do you suggest?" He puts his hands on his hips. "Don't say 'robot', I'm not letting Don make anything that can fight again."

"He made Shelldon!"

"He made Shelldon when we were fifteen, and he did try to kill us one time."

"I heard that was your fault."

"Noooo... Maybe a little. Who told you that?"

"Uncle Donald."

"Well, he's a big liar. Just go for my legs since you can't reach my face, okay?"

Leo shrugs, and begins trying to hit his dad's legs as Leon dodges the hits. "Dad? Will I ever be as tall as you?"

"Dunno! You might not want to be, it makes going through doors a terrible experience."

"I don't want to be short forever, though."

"Maybe you won't."

"I think I will. I had a dream that I never got any taller than five foot one."

"That's... really specific. Did you dream about your brothers?"

"Yeah. Raph was five feet forever, and Mikey was four-eleven, and Donnie was five-six. Forever and ever, until the day we all died."

"Whoa, pause, time out." Leon kneels down. "You dreamt you all died?"

Leo looks away and taps his fingers together. "It-it wasn't bad. I just... knew at the end we did. But I didn't see it so it wasn't a nightmare."

"Well, are you okay?"

"Yeah. ... I-I went and woke up Pop-Pop and he told me a story, and when I went back to bed it was okay."

"What story?"

"... The one about Gram-Gram."

"Oh." Leon swallows the lump in his throat that manifest every time he thinks of Karai. "That's kind of a heavy story."

"Yeah. But... she's not gone. Everyone's together again, even though they died. ... It makes it less scary to think about."

"That's... a really good way of thinking of it." He's never thought of it that way himself, actually. Karai waiting, spending time with her father, and he can say sorry to her still someday, to tell her all about her great-great-great way-more-greats grandkids and how awesome they are...

And the whole family will be together someday, without this aching, gaping hole in their hearts.

"Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"Pop-Pop will be with her when he dies, right?"

Leon can't help the way he flinches away at the very thought. "That won't be for a long time, kiddo."

"But when he does, he-he'll be waiting for us? And we'll see him again?" The way his son looks at him, so pleading, so... so young. God, he's so young, why is he thinking of this? Why is his 10 year old son being haunted by this?

"Yeah. Yeah, of course. We'll all end up in the same place, because we're family. I promise."

Leo nods, and then suddenly throws himself into Leon's arms. "I love you, Dad," he says, his little voice choked up with tears. "I love you a lot, and-and I want you to know that, and-"

"Hey, hey." Leon pats Leo's little shell as he hugs him tight. "... It wasn't just your brothers, was it?"

Leo shakes his head and buries his face into Leo's shoulder. "It was you and Pop-Pop."

"We're right here, buddy."

"Shredder got you."

Leon's blood runs cold. "Shredder is gone, Lee. He'll never, ever hurt you."

"I know. ... I won't let him hurt you either."

"You don't need to protect me, hijo."

"I do." Leo's little body shakes in Leon's hands, making him hug tighter. "I do, I-I need to keep you safe."

"Hey." Leon rubs the back of his son's head with his thumb. "You're just a kid, okay? You don't need to take that burden on yourself. Let me protect you. Let your uncles protect you. Let your grandpas and your aunties and all our friends protect you. These are adult things to worry about. I promise you don't have to."

"I don't know how to stop, Dad," Leo sobs.

"We'll work on it together, okay? You don't need to put all this pressure on yourself. You're just a kid."

"O-okay." Leo hugs as tight as he can with his little arms. "Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"... Can-can we watch Jupiter Jim instead of sparring?"

"Of course we can! Do you want to read me the story you wrote about him and your space hero too?"

"Y-yeah."

"Let's grab some ice cream on the way. Uncle Angelo made some fresh last night."

"But not on pizza like Mikey does, right?"

"Not on pizza like Mikey does. I don't know how that kid never throws up with how he eats."

Leo finally giggles, and Leon smiles as he gets up and carries his son to the kitchen.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Alright, now you draw the outline," Angelo says as he uses his powers to lift Mikey high into the air, "And I'll color it in with the spray paint!"

"Shouldn't Raph do this?" Mikey says even as he begins to doodle a big alligator man, one of his favorite imagined characters to draw. "He's better at it."

"This isn't about being good. It's about having fun!"

Mikey laughs, kicking his legs as he keeps drawing, adding a big crown to the alligator mutant's head. "Yeah! Raph can suck it!"

"Raph can... Mikey?"

"Yeah?" He sticks his tongue out as he focuses, a habit he shares with his genius brother.

"Has Raph been bullying you?"

"NO!" Mikey whips around in midair, eyes as wide as they can get. "No!"

"Whoa whoa! He's not in trouble if he's not, but why can he 'suck it' then?"

"Oh. Well, uh, yesterday he said I'm not serious enough to be a ninja."

"What?! Oh, I am having words with Raphie about this later, that is a whole pile of nonsense!"

"Yeah. Anyway, I told him he's too angry to be a ninja."

"That's not okay either, son." Angelo pulls Mikey closer with his powers. "You guys shouldn't be saying these hurtful things to each other."

"I know." Mikey sounds genuinely regretful, at least. "But then he said I'm gonna get everyone hurt someday, and I said I'm gonna save everyone all the time because they can't imagine stuff to do without me."

"How did this argument start?"

Mikey looks down. "... Leo had a nightmare."

Angelo puts Mikey down completely and sits criss-cross-applesauce. Mikey copies him, still looking down at the floor.

"I heard him sneaking to Pop-Pops room and I followed," Mikey admits. "And Raph and Donnie did too. And we all heard Leo say he had a nightmare where we died."

"Oh, Mikey." Angelo pulls his son into his lap. "Hey, we'd never let that happen, you know that right?"

"Yeah. But Leo said it was all his fault, and-and that he couldn't protect us." Mikey tears up. "And then when we woke up Raph said we should train without Leo and he was really upset. He hit me too hard and we started fighting and-"

Mikey sniffles, leaning into his dad's plastron and hugging him. "I think he wants us to be really good so Leo doesn't worry," Mikey says quietly. "But I don't think he knows how to say it."

"Yeah," Angelo sighs. "I've noticed that about him. ... Look, Mikey, nobody's perfect, and nobody's serious all the time. Being a ninja isn't about not having fun ever, and I think the fact that you do find it fun makes you a very good ninja."

"... It does?"

"Heck yeah it does! You think my razzmatazz comes from serious training? It comes from flash and flair, baby! You can have those without a little bit of fun!"

Mikey laughs. "Yeah. Yeah! And-and Raph said my dance-fight I made up was cool the other day."

"Exactly! He was just in a bad mood, and he didn't express it well. I'll tell Raphie to talk to him about it, okay?"

"Okay."

"And we need to remember that when a fight starts getting out of hand like that, it's time for everyone to back off and take a deep breath."

"But what if I come up with a really good comeback?"

"You can tell me later, or tell Raph later when he's calmed down and knows it's a joke."

"Awww."

"What?"

"... It's kinda funny when he gets mad."

"Mikey. Do you feel good when someone annoys you until you snap?"

"No."

"So do you think Raph does?"

"But he snaps way faster!"

"That doesn't mean he's not just as upset."

"... I guess..."

"Listen. I'm gonna go call Raphie and tell him about this. Do you want to draw something down here while I do that?"

"Okay. ... I'm gonna draw my pet!"

"You have a pet?" Where'd he hide it?

"In my head!" Mikey grins and points to his head. "Her name is Ice Cream Kitty! I'm gonna draw her and let her be real!"

"I bet she'll be great. Okay, be back in a few minutes."

"Okay Dad!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Raphie knocks on his son's door. "Hey, Little Man?"

"Come in."

He opens the door and eases it shut again behind him. Raph sits on his bed, flipping through a comic book about superhero vegetables. Raphie takes a deep breath and sits down on the end of his son's bed.

Raph looks up at him. "Dad? Are you okay?"

"Raphie's worried." He's not beating around the bush today. "Angelo told me Leo had a bad nightmare, and it really upset you."

Raph narrows his eyes. "Mikey told you, you mean."

"No, he told his dad, and his dad told me."

Raph crosses his arms, crinkling his comic. "Mikey's a snitch."

"Hey." Raphie reaches out and puts his arm around his son, but doesn't bring him into a hug yet in case he needs space still. "It's okay to be worried."

"Mikey was goofing off!" Raph throws his comic to the floor. "Leo was upset and Mikey was just goofing off about it!"

"Did you tell Mikey it was to make Leo feel better?"

"He should've known! Donnie knew!"

"Mikey likes to cheer Leo up by being silly. You and Donnie like to cheer him up by preparing more. That doesn't mean Mikey doesn't care."

"Leo thought he killed us!" Raph clenches his fits, gritting his teeth as tears form in his eyes. "And he cried to Pop-Pop about it and-and he said he couldn't protect us! Why does he think he has to do that?! I can protect us! I can make sure we can protect him! Leo needs to be okay too! I don't want Leo to die!"

"Whoa, whoa, slow down!" Raphie pulls his son in for the hug, grounding him before he spirals too badly. "Where's this coming from, little buddy?"

Raph is quiet for a long time, and then he lets out a sob. "I had a dream Leo died too."

There it is. Raphie rubs his son's back and waits for him to go on.

"He did it over and over and he didn't even care! He just said he needed to protect us and he died and died and died! And-and when I woke up I heard him and he went and told Pop-Pop he dreamed we died and he can't let that happen and-and that means my dream will come true! And I don't want my big brother to die!"

"He won't," Raphie assures, giving Raph a squeeze. "Your Uncle Leon would never let him do that to himself, and your Uncle Donald would make sure he'd make it through anything that hurt him. Uncle Mikey would rip open a million portals through time to make sure you're all okay."

Raph sobs again, and screams into his dad's arm. "But Leo would try! because he's stupid, and-and pretends to be fearless, and that's stupid because he should be afraid to die and leave us!"

"He should," Raphie agrees. "And I'll talk to Leon about this, I promise. Leo shouldn't think it's up to him to keep all of your guys safe, that's our job."

"He thinks because he's the big brother he has to," Raph growls, still crying and gripping his dad in the tightest hug he can muster.

"When'd you guys decide he's the big brother?"

"He just is."

"Okay."

"But I'm a big brother too," Raph says firmly. "And Mikey and Donnie are little brothers. And I have to make sure we all stay exactly where we should be, but I'm the only one who cares! Leo doesn't care, he just wants everyone else to be okay, but we can't be okay if he isn't okay!"

"I know." Raphie begins rocking as he holds his son. "Boy, does Raphie know. Leon was the same way when he was younger."

"It's his fault?" Raph's voice hardens with anger.

"No!" Raphie shakes his head. "No, he's learned his lesson! That's why I know he'll talk with Leo about it, because he learned his lesson the hard way and doesn't want any of you to go through the same!"

"What if Leo doesn't listen?"

"All we can do is try. ... Maybe you should tell him that you worry about him. Let him know that he's not the only one worrying about everybody. Maybe if he knows you worry too, he'll feel less alone."

"... You think he feels alone?"

"Sometimes." The way Leo lingers after training to practice more, the way he sometimes goes quiet when the other three joke around, the way that ever since they wandered into Big Mama's hotel four years ago he's started telling them where they should and shouldn't go.

"... I don't want him to feel alone." Raph curls up, snuggling deeper into Raph's side. "I do sometimes. I hate it."

"What makes you feel alone?"

"Being angry. ... I'm too angry."

"... You know... there's other people out there who feel angry a lot and don't know why. I do, sometimes."

"You?"

"Yeah! Raph gets really angry and upset when he's alone too long, and it makes him weird. But you know what helps with that kind of thing?"

"What?"

"Talking to someone who knows a lot about it. And Uncle Angelo has some friends in the Hidden City who know about it." Therapy is something they've all done for years, but... he had really been hoping his son would never have to do the same.

Still, it's... not for the same reason. So it's not... he can handle it. He can handle taking his small son to that office, to that room, because he's not there for pain and suffering. Just to learn about himself. Just to learn.

"That sounds nice."

"We can go there soon, bud. But how about we talk to Leo first? I'll be there with you, and so will Uncle Leon."

"... Can we bring Mikey too? ... I yelled at him this morning."

"We can bring Mikey too. Should we bring Donnie when they get home?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. Let's call your uncle, then."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Really? I thought he seemed distracted today. Okay, we'll be home soon." Donald turns off his communicator and looks over at his son, who's examining a bundle of wires. He activates his shell and flies over through the junkyard.

Donnie is looking between the wires and the drawing he and Shelldon made together last week. Shelldon, while only a program in a phone for now, had quickly bonded with his 'younger brother'. It's a bit of an intimidating thought, the two of them teamed up. They're both so much like Donald himself, in so many ways.

"So," Donald says, and Donnie groans and lowers his head. "What?

"That's your 'we need to talk' so," Donnie grumbles, putting the wires in his bag.

"Yes, it is. Raphie told me Leo had a nightmare, it upset Raph, and he and Mikey had a fight."

"Yeah." Donnie's little hand shakes as he digs through the pile. "And Leo won't have any more nightmares soon."

"What makes you so sure?"

Donnie hands over the drawing. "He can fight for us."

Donald looks at the drawing. It's a stout robot, angular and simple, not unlike the Shelldon blueprints that made Donnie have his first truly big tantrum a whole decade ago.

A whole decade. Suddenly Donald feels ancient.

"That's a good idea," Donald says, looking back up. "But I don't think Leo will accept it."

"He should." Donnie picks out a piece of an old motherboard. It looks like completely useless garbage to Donald, but Donnie pockets it. "I'm going to fix it for him, and... and then it'll be okay. That's what science does, right? It makes things okay. Makes them make sense."

Donald nods... and then Donnie sniffles. And wipes his eyes.

Oh dear.

"Son?" Donald hovers closer and picks Donald up, setting him down and then lowering to his knees so they're face-to-face. "Science is a wonderful, beautiful thing. She's a fascinating mistress who can consume your every thought for hours on end. But she can't make everything perfect."

Donnie sniffles and wipes his eyes again. "Why not?"

"Nothing can perfect, Donnie. Even I, genius of the ages, am always looking back on old projects and seeing ways to improve them, or things I could have done better."

"Metalhead will fight for us so Leo doesn't have to get hurt."

"That's a fantastic goal. But Leo will keep fighting anyway."

"Why?"

"Because he's his father's son, and his father is my twin, and I know him far too well. They don't see things the way we do most of the time."

"Sometimes they do," Donnie sniffles. "Sometimes he thinks more than I do, and sometimes I jump at things before he does, and he knows better. I-I don't want him to get hurt because I do something I shouldn't and he knew better and-"

"Donatello." Donald puts both of his hands on his son's shoulders. They're huge around him, but that just means Donnie feels safe and cocooned. "genius comes from learning, from everything. That includes mistakes. If you make a bad decision, and Leo stops you, what does that mean?"

"... Don't do that next time?"

"Exactly."

"But-but he'll still be hurt-"

"But that won't be your fault. We operate based on all of our best knowledge, and we operate based on chemical reactions in our brains. When you and Draxum work on your chemical projects together, and you accidentally add too much of one compound to another and it explodes, does Draxum blame you?"

"No." Donnie shakes his head. "We note it down, and we don't do that again."

"Right. And when it explodes when neither of you expected it, does he blame you if he gets hurt?"

"No. But-but if he does know and I do it anyway-"

"When he does know and you do it anyway, what happens?"

"I get in trouble."

"And?"

"And... and he doesn't let me sit by the chemicals without supervision."

"And?"

"... Um..."

"And," Donald says, "He treats his injury, and invites you to work with him again the next day. Donnie, listen to me. Never beat yourself up over not making the absolute perfect decision every single time you're faced with on. You know who used to do that?"

"... I-I don't know."

"Uncle Leon." Donald nods as Donnie's eyes go wide. "He thought because he wasn't perfect, he was a bad leader. He started being bad at it on purpose so he wouldn't have to be anymore. He made a lot of mistakes in that time. We got hurt, all of us. Badly. But you know what happened after?"

"... You got better?"

"We got better. And he learned. And he's been a very good leader ever since."

"... What if I don't know something... and... and we can't get better because I didn't know it?"

"Well..." Donald blows out a breath. "Well... you have to learn to accept it. And it will hurt for a very long time, and never fully go away. And you learn to live with it."

"How?"

"... I don't know." Donald takes his hands off of Donnie's shoulders and looks at the robot drawing again. And he sees Shelldon, and all of his old tech, and he sees The Shredder tearing it all apart, and he sees rubble, and he sees Karai buried and twitching but still trying her best to protect them, and he sees all of his tech and knowledge failing to make a difference-

"But you do." He nods to himself. "You learn to move on, because there's more to do. You accept, you learn from what happened, and you do everything you can so it never happens again."

"... What if it does?"

"... Then you keep trying. And you... might never get there. But that's not your fault." Donald looks into Donnie's eyes. "It's not. You can do everything right, and still fail. So all that matters in the end is that you did the best you could."

Donnie thinks for a long, long time. Long enough that Donald's phone buzzes, probably Raphie asking where they are.

"Is it still okay to be afraid of that?" Donnie asks quietly.

"Yes." Donald stands. "It's always okay to fear failure, as long as it doesn't stop you from trying. Science is all about trying."

Donnie is quiet again, and then reaches up to hold his dad's hand. "Can... can we go see Leo? ... I think... I think I need to talk to him. Before I make him a robot. I want to try that first."

"Now that is truly brave," Donald sighs heavily. "Emotional conversations. You're braver than I, my young son."

Donnie grins up at him with his little gap-toothed smile. "Does that mean I can build our go-karts?"

"Not until we find you helmets."

"Aww..."

"... Which... I can have Auntie April do tomorrow. As a reward for the conversation we're all about to have."

Donnie grins again.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Leon worries about the burden his son is taking onto himself.

Angelo worries about how his son works with his brothers.

Raphie worries about the way his son is trying to be a Team without telling his team anything.

Donald worries about his son not being able to work through his anxieties of failure.

There's a good way to check how severe each of these issues are.

But it can wait.

First, group family therapy.

Then... the boys' first patrol.

[shions-new-blog-of-stuff]

"Breakout"

plaga Leon x OC, hurt/comfort/some body horror

Luis' parasite removal machine had worked. Leon, Ashley and Catherine escaped the hellish island, Ashley returned to her family safe and sound, and Catherine went back to her home--back to her job at the hospital.

A few months later, Catherine dressed in a green buttoned dress shirt and faded jeans, was now in the backseat of her uncle's car, Leon lying in her lap, still wearing a green hospital shirt and loose pants breathing heavily. Uncle Lindsey had given him a blanket and old hoodie to try and conceal his appearance. A woman with reddish hair and wearing a light blue lab uniform sat in the passenger seat in the front, occasionally looking back to give Catherine a reassuring smile or nod.

The car bounced as Lindsey drove down the road, making what belongings they all could pack in the trunk move about making loud thumping noises.

Leon had been infected again, a last laugh from Saddler during their final showdown. By the time it was discovered, the egg hatched and grew to a full adult. Sent to a medical facility, any methods of treatment ended in failure. Somehow, Leon retained his mind and will of his own.

Catherine had started receiving a series of emails from the woman in front -- Morgan Collins was her name. It wasn't long before she revealed the awful truth that Leon was a host once more and that he would be turned into a new bioweapon. Morgan, through careful planning, managed to sneak him out. Leon had been given sedatives normally meant for animals, leaving him in a sluggish state.

Lindsey pulled into a gas station. "Sorry, gotta gas up. There's a motel 'bout ten more miles from here. Hopefully can rest there, eh?"

"That's fine," Catherine replied quietly, "Uncle...thank you for...you know..."

He smiled. "Never in a million years I'd leave my niece in the cold, you know that." He flicked something away from his hair, dyed a dark green. His expression turned serious, "Cathy, I'm not afraid to go back to jail..."

Dusting off his navy blue coat, he turned and walked towards the mini-mart.

Morgan looked back, shocked. "Did he really just say that?"

Leon stirred, pale face and red eyes looking up at Catherine. He appeared to be aware of the conversation.

Catherine held his hand. "Yeah. Long story short, he beat up my father--and also my parents' dealer, with a baseball bat. But he did it to protect me..."

Morgan shook her head. She reached for her bottle of water in the drink holder to take a sip. She shrugged, "We all have a story to tell I guess. Who knew this would be the second time I'm running from my workplace again?"

"Oh...?"

Morgan put the bottle down. "*sigh* I told your buddy there before but...I worked for Umbrella. Me and my team...we thought were gonna make a difference creating new medicine. Improve the quality of life for our patients, yea?" She balled her hand into a fist, "That goddamned virus...the higher-ups played us all for a bunch of fools..." She then rested her head in her hands, "I just wanted to see my dad get the treatment he needed..."

Catherine reached over to place a hand on Morgan's shoulder briefly. "I appreciate your help..."

She looked down to see Leon, sound asleep and breathing normally, the veins in his skin not as prominent as before. She brushed some of his hair aside to gently kiss his forehead.

Lindsey returned with a few bags of food and drink, filled the tank of gas, and pulled the car out, back on the road, driving off into the starry night.

@mishwanders @squashfics @lex-the-flex @likesugarandcyanide @notrattus @g0thesqe

[secretartblogowo]

Leon × reader (Pokemon belly fic)

Timeline: It's been 7 years since you've won the Pokemon League Championship...

It was a windy afternoon in Galar. The sound of thumping windows and windchimes filled the air. You and Hop were playing with your Pokemon. Your teams have grown big and strong and battling is a thrilling treat. Of course, being the Champion, your buddy is no problem to defeat. Hop retreats his Cinderace. "Your strength still amazes me... phew... Good fight! Excited to eat? I'm starving", Hop says with a big grin plastered across his face. 

"Me too, little bro. Dinner's done soon", a deep voice adds. It was Leon, the ex-Champion of Galar. After dethroning Leon from his long-standing title, he let go of the hustle and has been living with his family again. "Oh— Lee, you scared me! Well, let's go then. what are we waiting for?", Hop exclaims before eagerly running inside. Leon watches Hop run off and then looks at you, bashfully scratching the back of his head, "nice to see you again. Enjoying being the Champion?". You nod. "Quite the honor isn't it? I'll be honest, it feels good to finally sleep in", he chuckled as he gently nudges your shoulder. "Let's catch up with Hop".

You and Leon go inside, closing the garden doors to keep the cool air out. At the table Hop was already seated. Hop’s mum walks in with a big pot cradled in her arms. "Oh, there you guys are! I made an amazing Fried Food Curry”. She turns her head to Leon, “I’m just so glad to be able to cook for you again, sweetie".

Leon looks down at himself and runs a hand across his belly. He didn't want to admit it but he's been letting himself go. With no motivation to stay in shape, Leon has been moping about and enjoying himself perhaps a little too much. You see his face scrunch up a little as his fingers trace a small gut starting to form. "T-tasty!", Leon stutters as he takes a seat. You sit beside Hop, across from Leon. 

Hop's mum puts down plates and serves a helping of curry for everyone. "So, Lee", Hop starts, "you'll never believe what Sonia taught me today: did you know that Toxtricity can come in low key and amped variants? It's incredible, they're completely different". Hop starts chatting up a storm. "In fact there's tons of incredible Pokemon in Galar— oh! Like Alcremie!"

1 hour later...

"...and sometimes Polteageists will cozy up in authentic China teapots. Who would ever just toss those in the rubbish? I just love learning about it all... Right, Lee?", Hop asks. Leon's thoughts had been drifting the entire time and was absentmindedly eating his 5th plate of curry. "Hm? O-Oh! Hop, that's crazy... I... I'm really full", Leon grumbles. You've been watching the whole ordeal. It's not surprising Leon would get lost in his food the same way he does everywhere else. "Did you over eat again, sweetie? Do you need me to make you tea?", Hop's mum softly asks Leon. "I'm fine. Really...", Leon says. "I think I'm gonna lie down...". You watch him as he pushes back his chair and stumbles off. He doesn't look well, clutching his belly and hunching over. 

"Sometimes I don't even think he listens... Anyway, Let's go to my room and watch the telly!", Hop says getting off the table and dashing upstairs.

You and Hop are sitting on his bed together, sharing a bowl of popcorn, watching the Alolan Battle Royals. It's an exciting sport full of drama and lucartive strategies. Still no matter how intense it gets, Hop ends up dozing off as soon as it gets late. "Oh, that... that’s the Masked Royal... He's so... Cool... Zzzz...", Hop mumbles as he drifts to sleep. You turn off the telly and tuck your best friend in. As you walk through the halls towards the restroom, you hear moaning and groaning coming from Leon's room. You slowly open the door, just a crack. 

Leon was reclining on his bed, bottled water in one hand and petting his belly with the other. "Oughh... My stomach... aH!— Wh-what are you doing up?", Leon freezes, frantically holding a pillow over his belly. You start blushing a little. You've always seen Leon as a strong and intimidating figure ever since you two were young and to see him so vulnerable was exciting. "Did my mum send you? I'm fine, r-really", Leon winces. His belly let's out a loud burbling gurgle. You know he's not fine and you enter his room, closing the door behind you. Leon looks at you, sweating nervously, and avoiding eye contact. "It's late, we should probably just go to bed and— Ghck!". 

Something had prompted you to climb into Leon's bed and move your hands over his belly, giving it loving rubs. Perhaps it was the crush you've always had on him or how worried you were about him. Your hand moves over the smooth fabric of his shirt. "H-hey...", Leon murmurs. You can hear Leon's breathing slow down as you carry on with your soothing belly rubs. "Mmmm... I'll be fine, I'm just a little... Ohhhhh...", Leon moans. His belly lets out a long bubbling growl as the plates and plates of curry settle in him. "—Excuse me", he quietly utters as he lets out a long sigh. It's adorable how helpless such a legend like Leon can become from a little indigestion. You want to get closer to his stuffed belly, urged to nurture him. 

You lay down beside him, resting your head on his chest and looking below at his gently swaying belly. "Mmnnggh... What are you doing...?", Leon croaks, moving his head to the side, unsure of how to react to your sudden infatuation. You move your hands up to the top of his abdomen, feeling every churn and gurgle inside his lively stomach. Leon's belly was warm and his increase in weight created a soft layer of fat over his tight tummy. "Mmmmuh...". Leon continues to fuss. You tuck yourself even closer to Leon, your head laying only inches to where his belly begins. You can hear the curry sitting heavy inside of him, struggling to be digested. 

Leon looks down at you, eyelids drooping from the exhaustion of the overwhelming bloating. You stroke and hold onto his big strong arms and climb onto his lap. Leon sinks lower into the bed, now looking up at you, belly sloshing as he moves into a comfier position. Leon starts blushing and breathing shakily. You hold onto his hands, moving them along with your own. You open the bottled water and bring it to his lips with one hand. You move his hand across his own bulging belly with the other. You look at him intently and start tilting the bottled water into his mouth.

Gulp. Gulp. Gulp. You can feel Leon squirming a little from the water filling his already brimming stomach. You force Leon to feel his own belly press out, pushing his hand into his tummy. After many heavy and slow chugs, the bottle emptying, Leon wiggles his hand loose from your grip. "Nughhh... W-why would you make me—Hic!– do that...?", He whimpers, looking up at you desperately. You didn't know; more so you didn't know how you'd explain how you wanted him to be more bumbling and helpless.

Leon's gut was really upset now. His mouth quivered as he felt ever churn and burble squirm through his body. Every heavy breathe caused it to make audible liquidy shifts. You felt guilty; Leon wasn't nearly this sloshy before all that water. You leaned in and started to intensively massage Leon's big grouchy belly. You could feel where the water had settled and teasingly pushed into it, making little blubs and splashes. Leon winced, "ghhh... Come on, seriously...". You continued to move your hand all across it, finding every sweet spot that made Leon feel better. Digging the sides of your thumbs into the top of his belly and moving outwards would help knead out the cramping of all the twisting turning curry inside. Leon let out a loud and relaxed sigh, closing his eyes. 

You could help ease the soreness of having such a tight belly but the heavy feeling and queasiness could only be remedied by a good nap. Leon was struggling to stay awake. He doze off only to dart his eyes at you. Perhaps he's worried you'll pull another stunt on him. You were tired too and felt cozy being beside such a big warm body. You climbed off Leon's lap, letting him relax his hips and turn on his side. He was looking directly at you, eyes barely open. You snuggled up into his chest, resting one hand on his tummy. Leon slowly laid his arm across your body, sighing and voice hoarse with sleep. "If you wanted to cuddle you shoulda just said so...", He mumbles, a little smile forming.

[wondersofdreaming]

Sex on Fire

Co-written with @radaofrivia​

Characters: AU Captain Syverson - Gynaecologist, dr. Syverson x female reader

Word count: 4.522

Warnings: NSFW! Smut, so smutty. Gamahuche. Licking. Bodily liquids. Fingering. Sucking. Hair pulling. Begging. And I’m out of whatever else there is, but I’m sure there’s more - let me know and I’ll add them XD

Author’s note: This story was co-written with the always gorgeous and incredible @radaofrivia​! She is the Brain to my Pinky! The Barney Rubble to my Fred Flinstone! My goddess Saga and my muse Erato! My drinking buddy and who will stay up till 4am with me to finish this story.

Please go enjoy her stories here:

Rada’s Masterlist

I do not own any characters in this short story, except the reader who is a figment of my imagination.

*Edit: The title was decided before I realised that it is a song by Kings of Leon. These two have nothing in common except for the title.

MY MASTERLIST

Sex on Fire Masterlist

Feedback is appreciated.

(Credit to original gif owner - if this is yours please contact me so I can give you proper credit)

The grey concrete building stood tall in front of you. You leaned your head back to see the top, but it was nearly impossible. All you could see were windows leading into the sky. A doorman in a black uniform stood by the entrance, watching whoever went in and out. He nodded his head with a stoic look in a greeting.

The lobby looked more welcoming than the outside building. There was a fireplace with three sofas surrounding it and a coffee table stacked with magazines. A few women were already sitting there, gossiping about the new dapper doctor that had rented the entire top floor.

You rolled your eyes and went over to the reception. A man stood to greet you with a smile, but he was talking to someone in his headset, which only took a few seconds before he hung up.

“I am sorry about that, how may I help you, miss?” he asked.

“I’m here for an appointment with dr. Syverson,” you said a little nervously.

“Ah, yes. I have a form you need to fill out,” he handed you a piece of paper and a pen, “The elevators are just right over there. Take it all the way to the 52nd floor. Another receptionist will be there to guide you further.”

You accepted the paper and went for the elevators. A chill went down your spine as the cold air from the air condition hit you. You pressed the button for dr. Syverson’s floor. An orchestral song started playing over the speakers. It wasn’t until you listened closely to the lyrics that you noticed it was ‘Nothing Else Matters’ by Metallica.

You closed your eyes, swaying to the beat of the soft drums. Lars Ulrich had been your celebrity crush as a teen, and you still listened to their older songs when you had a bad day.

The elevator doors opened with a loud ‘ding!’, pulling you out of your trance. Another receptionist stood at the opposite side. She looked up from the computer and smiled.

“Welcome to dr. Syverson’s clinic. Do you need help filling out the paper?” she asked nicely. You quickly scanned what you needed to scribble down. It was mostly your personal information and history of health.

“No, I think I can manage, thank you,” you smiled back.

“You can take a seat in the sofas, and when you’re done just fold it and put it in the mailbox, dr. Syverson will call you in, shortly,” she motioned to a black mailbox by the elevators that you had missed when walking past it.

You nodded and went for the sofas. The room was warm and comfortable with green plants everywhere. The sand-coloured leather sofas were softer than you expected as you sank down. You filled out the form and put it in the box.

Instead of sitting back down, you decided to walk over to the floor-to-ceiling windows and take a look at the impressive view of the city. Your eyes widened at how far you could see, all the way to the ocean, and if you squinted your eyes, you might have been able to see your apartment building, even the bar you had often been frequenting lately.

Dr. Syverson walked out of his office. He stretched his arms above his head, feeling a bit sore from having sat down reading his patients’ charts all afternoon. Now he just needed to check on his last appointment, before he could go home and enjoy an ice-cold beer.

His receptionist was packing her stuff, sending him a kind smile. The perks of working with his sister were that she didn’t try to seduce him, or leave her underwear in his white coat pocket like some of his patients tended to do.

He smiled back and looked around the room. His gaze landing on you. His first thoughts were not ‘oh there’s my patient’, no, his mind went straight to ‘YOWZA!’.

“Last patient for today, Luc. I’ll be leaving now, see you tomorrow,” he heard his sister say to him. She smacked his arm to get his attention. He was pulled back to reality, saying goodbye to her before walking towards you, changing his mindset from dirty to professional.

You gasped when a flock of seagulls flew by, making you take a step back and hit a wall. Except the wall had arms that grabbed your shoulders before you hit the floor.

“Whoah, careful there, miss,” a deep rough voice said. You looked up and saw a man with a trimmed beard, a soft smile on his lips, and a mischievous look in his cerulean eyes.

“I’m so sorry,” you choked out. You quickly remove yourself from his arms, first now noticing that he was wearing the white coat signalling he was dr. Syverson. And if that didn’t kick your brain in gear, then the name tag on his chest should do it. Dr. Lucas P. Syverson.

“It’s all good. This way, please,” he made sure you followed him to his office. The wall colour changed to a more soothing beige colour and was adorned with colourful paintings. You didn’t notice what they depicted before you stepped closer to one. It was of naked human bodies in various forms and shapes, very fitting for a gynaecologist’s office.

He had various books about his profession, but a few stood out to you. One had a peach on the cover and was written by dr. Syverson himself. You were impressed but wondered about the peach until you saw the title that made you blush deeply.

“How to eat a peach for dummies.”

He motioned for you to sit in the armchair, while he plopped down on the opposite one. He grabbed a chart from his desk and a pen.

“I’ve had a look at your medical history, and the…” Dr. Syverson looked down on the chart, “three gynaecologists that you have been referred to have written that you are in a state of good health. Well, we’ll see about that, I’m not too keen on some of these doctors you’ve had appointments with. They’re as old as Methuselah.”

You let out a peal of laughter. The joke having put you at ease with the doctor, who was smiling as you calmed down from your fit of giggles.

You were a little bit shocked by this doctor. Dr. Syverson was nothing like how you had imagined him. He couldn’t be over 40, with the extended educational schooling he would have had to go through. You remembered having read somewhere that it took at least 12 years to become a gynaecologist.

“Oh my gosh, they were. Another thing they had in common was that they would take a “quick” peek, not caring that I was screaming in pain, and then tell me that I’m healthy as a horse.”

Dr. Syverson sat back; his brow pushed together. You could practically hear the gears turning behind his forehead. He ran a hand through his beard, which made you notice that he wasn’t wearing a ring. If he wasn’t your doctor, you might have asked him on a date. Had you only met him at a bar instead of his office, and not being his patient. Damn it.

“There is definitely an issue we need to figure out here. I want you to know, miss that I plan on solving this mystery. Please, tell me in your own words what you think is wrong?”

You opened your mouth to explain, but all the sentences you thought of were too embarrassing to say out loud.

“Miss, you can say anything here. Nothing leaves these four walls, I promise you,” dr. Syverson tried to make you feel more comfortable with him with his gorgeous smile. His presence alone was putting you at ease. How did he do it?

“It burns when I’m penetrated,” you confessed.

“Penetrated how? During intercourse or masturbation?”

“I haven’t had sex since this happened. I can barely stuff two fingers in there,” you blurted, turning tomato red, confessing something so private to a total stranger, but it felt great to finally say it out loud, like a heavy stone being lifted from your shoulders.

“How about I take a look? Let me see with my own eyes that you’re ‘healthy as a horse’,” he quoted the old men, making you giggle. “You can leave your trousers and underwear on the bench, and have a seat on the table. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

The dashing doctor left the room while you removed your clothing. Feeling a little self-conscious, as you walked over to the gynaecologist table with the stirrups and sat between them, trying to cover your private parts with your shirt.

Dr. Syverson came back soon with a variety of scented candles in his arms.

“The smell of something nice usually helps my patients to relax a little,” he explained. He held them up for you to choose.

“This one,” you smiled and handed him the one called Ocean Mist.

“Nice choice, that one is my favourite,” the doctor grinned. He set the lit candle on his desk. The scent of a sandy beach and salty ocean soon filled the room. The doctor pulled the ultrasound machine towards you. You leaned back on the table inhaling deeply, willing your abdominal muscles to relax. The sounds of a guitar reached your ears. You watched as he set a portable speaker on the small table next to you.

“I hope you don’t mind a little music,” he said, smiling, while he put on a pair of bright orange gloves.

“I love Metallica, so please keep it flowing.”

“Can you guess the song I’m playing? Put your legs up here for me,” he patted the stirrups.

You lifted your legs, intensely listening to the instrumental version of the song.

“Is it ‘The Unforgiven’?” you asked.

“Correct, you’re good. This is going to be a little bit cold,” he squirted a large amount of gel on the ultrasound wand. He slowly inserted the rod inside you, pushing ever so gently. “How long have you listened to Metallica?”

You winced at the invasion but tried to keep your muscles from tightening around the smooth object. You didn’t see the set jaw on the gorgeous looking doctor. Your sweet scent was tickling his nose and making his mouth salivate by the thought of tasting you.

“Since I was a teenager. I’ve been to at least one concert per tour they’ve done,” you groaned in pain.

“I’m sorry, your right ovary is a little difficult to find. You’re doing great. Your left ovary is the epitome of health. Are you on any kind of birth control?” he asked casually, trying his best to make you feel safe around him.

“N… no… I…” your voice broke, and tears started streaming down your cheeks. Doctor Lucas quickly removed the wand, cleaned it and sat down next to you.

“It’s okay. Let it all out,” he told you softly. Concern for your well being was painted on his chiselled face.

“It’s just that… I haven’t had sex for years, YEARS doc. No man wants a broken woman, especially not a woman that cannot be penetrated without her screaming in pain.”

You babbled so much you forgot that you were in a gynaecologist’s office and not at a psychologist.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to blurt all that out,” you started to blush a crimson red.

Lucas fought hard not to pull you into his arms. His protective instincts were on high alert; he wanted to make you feel safe, make you feel loved. He was cursing the bastards who had hurt you. To him, women were the stronger sex, had to endure more pain than men. Women are precious, made to birth life, made to give love and be loved.

“It’s quite alright. You’ve had a rough time,” he patted your arm, the safest place to touch you and went to get up. “I’m going to feel around to see if there’s something I’ve missed with the ultrasound. What other bands do you listen to?”

You watched as doctor Syverson slapped on another pair of gloves and squirted a smaller amount of gel on his finger, on his long thick finger. You were practically drooling by watching him prepare to examine you.

“Eh… I listen to a little bit of everything,” you said. You laid back down and draped an arm over your eyes. Watching the handsome doctor working was becoming too much for you. He was stirring feelings inside you that you hadn’t felt in a long time, and not in this form or quantity. You had taken a look at his well-proportioned ass when he walked out earlier, and his black trousers did very little to hide his hefty package.

“I’m sorry, but, again, this is going to be a little cold. What was the last song you listened to?” he warned.

It was an erotic scene, watching him standing between your legs, one hand on your belly, while the other was about to enter your most sacred place. You felt him enter. A soft moan escaped your lips.

Lucas’ ears perked. He hadn’t expected to hear that sound coming from your full lips. Had he heard correctly? The little vibration from you sent a jolt straight to the beast he was trying to keep dormant. This wasn’t the first time a woman had moaned while he examined them, but you were different. Another sweet sound reached his ears. You were so responsive to his touch, so open, so reactive. His mind was racing, but one word kept popping up, more.

You had forgotten how to speak, how to form sentences, how to communicate. You could only feel.

“Miss?”

“Hmm?”

“The last song? You listened to,” he didn’t mean to sound so tense, but he had to distract himself, his treacherous mind, he needed to keep the small-talk going, to break the silence. He wanted to kick himself in the balls for thinking about you, while he was fingers deep inside you. His compassionate instinct was winning over his lust.

Stop it, Lucas! You’re a professional. You cannot mess up! You CAN NOT fuck this up! She needs your help. Lord, give me strength.

“Oh...” you murmured, coming back from whatever universe he had sent you to with his finger technique, “Ehm, before the Metallica song in the elevator, I listened to ‘What’s Your Country Song’ by Thomas Rhett.”

“That’s a great song. I like country music.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed you as a country kinda g… GOD!!!” you gasped as he curled his finger, touching the spot.

You released a louder sinful sound, a sound that hadn’t left your lips in a very long time. Lucas watched as your chest was heaving, gasping for air. The room was suddenly suffocating him. He felt like he was burning up from the inside. His breath was hitched, and he couldn’t form a coherent sentence. Why did you have to sound like desire itself?

“Does it hurt when I do this?” he asked, his voice lowering an octave and reduced to a velvety whisper. He hooked his finger once more, listening intensely to the sounds escaping you.

You couldn’t take it anymore. Your eyes rolled back in your head. You lifted your hips, moving your pelvis closer, needing more friction, needing to feel him deeper inside you.

Fuck!

He was watching you, vehemently. A fire was burning deep in his groin, heck even his eyes were flaming. His shoulders moved fastly up and down as he was heaving in the air through his parted lips, he needed oxygen, he needed to control himself. He was scolding himself for feeling like a horny teenager.

“This is… wrong,” he said in a panic. He moved his hand away from you. You wrapped your fingers around his wrist in a fierce grip.

“Please…” you begged, “please don’t stop. I… I haven’t felt like this in a long time. Please, Lucas… I need you… I need you to finish this.”

He could hear the need in your voice. He could smell your arousal. You were clawing your nails into his skin. The look in your eyes was clear that you wanted him just as much as he wanted you. The same eyes were shining with unshed tears, begging him for release, and the sound of his name from your lips was making him so close to breaking his resolve.

“I… can’t… you’re my patient,” he groaned, his forehead showing the concerned lines of wrinkles, which made him look even more desirable.

“Can’t you make an exception? Just this once? Please...”

Lucas ran a gloved hand through his short-cropped hair. He turned away from you, needing support for his shaky legs he leaned against the back of his office chair. He was thinking about it, really thinking about it.

“Please, doll. Don’t test me. I’m standing on the edge, and I’m this close to jumping in with both feet. I can lose my career, and I don’t want you to regret this tomorrow.”

You watched as his shoulders sank. You moved off the examination table, pulling the hem of your shirt down to try to cover your nakedness.

“I’m sorry, dr. Syverson. I… I didn’t mean to put you in such a precarious situation,” your voice was small. Your gaze firmly on the wooden floor beneath your feet, you felt so ashamed to have tried to seduce your gynaecologist, who was only trying to help you. Lucas turned around to the sound of your voice breaking, and a little saddened that you started calling him his title again. Your cheeks flushed, your arms wrapped around yourself. You gathered the courage to move towards your clothes.

“Damn it!” he cursed. He moved towards you with the speed of lightning before you could take a single step. His large muscular frame wrapped around you, your head was laying on his chest, listening to the racing of his heartbeat.

“Say ‘you’re fired’,” he ordered, his voice husky and commanding like some kind of army captain, but it was also desperate. Desperate for you not to leave him. Craving your touch. Desiring, longing, yearning, lusting for you. 

Your eyes widened in shock as you processed his words. He heard you gasp as you realised what he was saying.

“Dr. Syverson… you’re fired,” you whispered seductively, although a little shaky too. You watched as the sweet and calm doctor changed before your very eyes.

He clashed his lips with yours in a hungry kiss. He was starving; his only thought was to taste you that was his only goal. Your scent had been making him insane; famished was more correctly described.

While holding you in his arms, he made you move backwards until your bum found the end of the exam table.

His kisses were desperate, and so were you. Your heart felt as if it was about to beat out of your chest. Your breathing was shallow. It was going to happen; it was really going to happen.

He lifted you up and made you sit on the exam table. He parted your legs and went to stand between them. He cupped your face between his warm palms, leaning down to kiss you again. He kissed your jaw and all the way to the shell of your ear.

“Please, don’t regret this,” he whispered and went to touch his forehead against yours.

“I want it, even more than you do,” you answered breathlessly.

With your consent, there was no turning back now.

He devoured your mouth while his hands roamed all over your body. He unbuttoned your blouse while you shoved his white coat to the floor. You pulled at his button-up, buttons were flying everywhere. He shoved your shirt down your shoulders and off your arms before he threw it somewhere behind him. You ran your hands up and down his hairy chest, wanting to feel all of him, not the doctor, but the fine specimen of a man that he was.

He removed your bra with a flick of his fingers. Slowly revealing your breast to him. Your nipples two hard buds, waiting for his mouth to suck, lick, bite, whatever he wanted to do.

“God, you’re so beautiful,” he whispered. His voice was desperate, so filled with lust, but also something oh so sweet.

Lucas moved his lips down your collar bone. Feasting on your breast, nibbling at your skin, before he finally went to town with your nipples. With the first touch of his tongue on your left breast, while he pinched the right, you let out a loud guttural sound. Just him playing with your bosom was about to send you over the edge. The coil in your belly was so close to snapping.

“More… Please, Lucas, more,” you whimpered, pushing his head to the place where you needed his mouth the most, right between your thighs.

You heard him chuckle. He gently pushed you down, making sure you were comfortable before he hooked your legs over his shoulders for better access to your glistening desire.

“Fuck…” you mewled. The sight of the mountain man between your legs, the growing bulge in his dark trousers was so erotic you were about to combust. Your sex was on fire.

“Your body is divine, bug. It was made to be worshipped. I want to make the pain go away,” he said softly.

You didn’t get to say a word as his tongue ran along the seam of your wetness, making you shutter from the first contact. His tongue was wide and long, his mouth blowing hot air as he sucked your lower lips gently.

That tongue of his was everywhere, inside you, lavishing you, adoring every centimetre of your flushed skin. You lifted your head to watch him working you into a frenzy, right as he sucked his index finger into his mouth, coating the digit with his saliva.

The pleasure that he was giving you was overwhelming. The moment he pushed his finger inside your womanhood, was like nothing you had felt before. His finger was warm, and it was a whole different feeling than when he was gloved. His tongue darted out to play with the glistening pearl hiding between your lips, sucking in his finger. Your wetness allowed his movements to be smooth and easy, in and out, and he found that spot that made you howl in ecstasy.

“Luc… I’m… I’m so close… FUCK!”

The coil broke, snatched, ripped apart. You weren’t pushed over the edge, you were shoved, hard, and the pleasuring waves kept coming and coming. It felt as if your orgasm was never-ending. You never wanted to come down from that high. It was addictive.

You released your hold of Sy’s head from your thighs, not having noticed you had trapped him. You were panting hard, trying to catch your breath after the tsunami of an orgasm the doctor had given you.

Lucas’ palm covered your cheek, wiping the tears that had fallen from your eyes.

“Did I hurt you, doll?” his face scrunched in concern.

You shook your head, no.

“No… that was the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced.”

The smile on Lucas’ face was breathtaking. He was beaming with pride. You watched as he leaned back, noticing he was still wearing his trousers. The apparent bulge in his abdominal area looked painful.

You moved to sit up, motioning for him to stand.

“I want to return the favour,” you told him, unzipping his trousers. You were gentle, as the tent grew more extensive, the more you released his manhood from its confinement. You helped him out of his black boxer briefs and came face to face with the finest cock you had ever laid eyes on. You were drooling, licking your lips, dying to taste him.

“You don’t have to, angel,” he groaned as your tongue darted out to taste the precum leaking from the tip, hearing him growl, a sound coming from deep inside him.

“Please let me, Sy,” you pleaded, taking his length in your hand. You looked up to see Lucas nodding slowly. He groaned in acceptance.

You ran your tongue over your palm to lubricate it. Lucas’ eyes widened to the size of teacups. His cock jolting in excitement, his heart skipping a beat at the erotic scene happening right before him.

One hand touched his hips, moving to the small of his back, to have a grip on his ass, pushing him closer to your face. He filled your hand beautifully with his hardness, yet he was still soft to the touch of your palm. You started moving your hand up, slowly, hearing his gasp was turning you on even more than you already were. You smeared the clear precum around the glans with your thumb. Delicately wrapping your mouth around him. Your lips were stretched to max capacity, a voice in the back of your mind was telling you that you had to be careful not to lock your jaws, but then again you had a doctor right in front of you if the situation should happen.

You languidly moved his member further into your warm mouth, coating him with your saliva. Your tongue gliding over the tip. Lucas released a low moan that sent vibrations through his body. He lifted his face towards the ceiling. Your hand left his ass, moving down his thighs, tickling the backside of his knee, before travelling up the inside of his thigh and gently cupping his balls.

“Fuuuuuuck…” he guttered. You sucked the part that could fit in your mouth in synchronicity with your hand’s movement. He felt the tightening deep within his testicles. The hitching in his breath notified you of his coming release. You led his hands to your scalp, letting his fingers fisting your hair, before giving him a sultry look with his cock in your mouth.

He was grunting hard as he set the pace, while you did your best to keep up with him. Moving his hips, chasing his release inside your mouth. You relaxed your throat, letting him take over. You wanted so much to please him. 

“Fuck, sunshine… I’m so close,” he growled.

“Come in my mouth,” you uttered. It was like something within him snapped the minute you voiced the words. He moved faster, harder, rougher. Until you felt the first spurts of his seed hitting your palate. You swallowed everything he spilt and then licked him clean.

Sy fumbled with his office chair as he sat down with a satisfied hum and pulled you to sit on his lap.

“That was amazing,” he smiled at you, kissing the tip of your nose, your cheek, the corner of your mouth and lastly a lingering kiss on your reddened lips.

“Glad you approve,” you grinned back, “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“About those books,” you pointed towards the books you had peeked at earlier.

“Theses I had to write for med school.”

“Tell me about them while you rest for round two.”

[rextasywrites]

Aftershow - Leon Kennedy x f!reader

with the help of some tricks and your best friend distracting the security guard, you manage to sneak into the after show of the world premiere of “Resident Evil - Infinite Darkness”. It tells the story of federal Agent Leon S. Kennedy, who, after retiring from his career as a federal agent, decided to tackle acting. Ever since you first saw him in “Resident Evil 2”, you were in love with him and couldn’t wait to meet him. So...what would happen at this afterparty?

hey lads i’m back! i hope you enjoy this piece i have been writing the past few days! hope you are doing well xoxo

Warnings: alcohol, smut, Leon being an ass to others sometimes

Your dress clung to your body, making you feel like some overstuffed sausage. It was physically and mentally out of your comfort zone, but your best friend insisted you looked like a million bucks in it, so you begrudgingly purchased it a week before. “But you look fantastic,” your best friend reassured  you when you stood before your mirror earlier that night, awkwardly, tugging at the fabric by your hipsMaybe she was right, but currently she was busy with the security guard to give you the chance to meet your idol and celebrity crush, Leon S. Kennedy. You had heard he’d attend the premiere, and posts on social media confirmed the rumours.Not that you’d ever admit to subscribing to notifications from him, though.

The place was filled with Hollywood executives, actors, and actresses from all over the planet, yet you hadn’t spotted your favourite so far. Maybe he was outside smoking? Busy spending time with fans and writing autographs? Who knew… So you made your way past some gossiping actress towards the bar. A simple Sex on the Beach would calm your nerves. You began to zone out as you sipped on the cocktail- that is, until you felt a hand on your shoulder.

“And I thought I had met everyone tonight.”

That voice. That fucking voice. You’d recognize it out of a million, and there he was.

On the barstool next to you sat Leon S. Kennedy, and he was touching you at this very moment.

Before you would answer, you chuckled and took a sip from the cocktail, buying your nerves some more time before you’d answer. “Guess not.”, you said and placed the glass on the bar in front of you. “I’m (Y/N), nice to meet you.”

“I’m Leon, but I’m sure you already knew that, nice to meet you too. (Y/N), what a beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Say, how is it possible that I haven’t spotted you before?”

Uh oh. Quick, think of something.

“Sorry, bad traffic,” you replied, directly quoting a line from his costar in Resident Evil 4. “But I’m here now, and just in time to celebrate you and your new show!”, you smiled and raised your glass, Leon clicking it together with his own beer glass. “Cheers.” You two took big sips from your beverages, Leon’s hand now gravitating towards your knee.

“Say, would you like to join me on the terrace? It’s getting so hot in here.”, Leon said and pointed towards an open door on the other side of the room. The mere thought of being able to spend more time with him made you agree with his idea, and a minute later you two were sitting on the terrace in a porch swing. Leon had bought you another drink. He was such a gentleman, just like you’d always imagined him.. From time to time, people came to congratulate Leon on the success of his new show, wanting to invite him for a drink or more rounds. Yet every time he declined it, saying he already had enough for the evening.

*

“You weren’t invited, were you?”, Leon asked after some conversation between you two. You had told him a bit about your life, your work, your pets. In return, Leon shared stories of the making of Infinite Darkness, funny bloopers and behind-the-scenes stories you otherwise would never hear. The party had died out by now, it being late and the night becoming colder. Telling him a lie wasn’t an option, so you sighed and nodded. “Thought so. You carry yourself differently.”, Leon said while he lit himself a cigarette, blowing the smoke into the night sky.

“What do you mean?”, confusion was written across your face. Carrying yourself differently?

“Hollywood wankers carry themselves with a confidence that could kill a mortal like us. They think they are invincible, but oh boy they are wrong. You don’t carry that energy about you. You don’t look the type.. How did you get in?”

“My best friend is buddies with the security guard and he owed her a favour.”

“You little minx.”, Leon laughed, taking another drag as his eyes rested on you, taking in your body in this dress you hated, yet in his eyes you were the most beautiful woman in the sea of botox and silicone tits. “If you promise not to spill the whole night on social media, I can show you a whole new world.”, and by the look in his eyes, you both knew the feeling was mutual

*

The penthouse Leon was renting for his stay in your city was more than just breathtaking. Standing by the front window, you could see the whole city, way beyond the city limits. In the bathroom was, next to a big bathtub, a jacuzzi, and an iced down champagne bucket right next to it. “In Hollywood, money has no meaning. You ever seen Wolf of Wall Street? They weren’t fuckin’ lying when they called money ‘fun coupons’”, he laughed when you first entered the penthouse and your eyes had nearly rolled out. The bedroom alone was bigger than your whole flat, the champagne in that goddamn bucket probably worth more than your rent

“If your eyes get any bigger they’ll fall out of your head!”, Leon laughed as he sat down on the huge sofa, the fireplace warming up the room to a comfortable degree. Yet the dress felt too tight, just ready to be taken off...or was that the alcohol speaking? Leon for the cigar box lying atop the coffee table. He offered you one, but you declined - you didn’t smoke, but the mere view of Leon with a big cigar between his lips, legs spread and dress shirt slightly unbuttoned...it went straight to your core, a view millions of women would kill for, presented in front of you. “Like what you see, little minx?”

“Would it be bad if I didn’t.”, you replied, trying to hide your nerves by being cocky. But Leon wasn’t having any of this. He could see through your mask, trying and failing to hide how badly you wanted to straddle his lap and kiss him senseless, seeing stars and whole new universes. Comes with being an ex cop and agent. No secrets could make it past his eyes.

“Come here”, were Leon’s simple words, yet they had an effect on you and your body, something you'd normally be ashamed to admit. You made your way over to Leon on the sofa and instead of sitting next to him, he patted on his lap. “I want you to be comfortable, and I bet you are the most comfortable on my lap. C’mon, it’s the best seat in the house.”, he smirked and...you couldn’t deny it. His thighs were comfortably big, years of hard training paying off in the form of muscle and rough skin under his suit pants.

You weren’t sure why your head felt like it was spinning - was it the alcohol or the intoxicating smell from Leon? A mixture of his unique scent: whiskey and his cologne, all in a cloud around your nose. You wished you would be able to smell him for the rest of your life. All you knew was that your body screamed for Leon, and his body screamed right back. “Here.”, Leon offered you the glass of scotch he had just poured for himself. “There are three types of liquor. Terrible, not so terrible, or do you want to impress people with your money?”, and with those words, he pressed his lips against yours.

*

“We shouldn’t be doing this.”

“And yet, here we are.”

*

Leon had picked you up after another glass or three of scotch, the way to his bedroom clear. You weren’t sure if it was the warmth from the scotch swelling in your chest or the way his muscular arms wrapped around you, but something in you was one wrong- or right- move away from melting away completely. Your legs were wrapped around his hips as well as possible. The slit on your dress helped you, but suddenly Leon stopped in his tracks. “Are you okay?”, you asked, placing a hand on his cheek, but he looked over the bedroom you two just entered… Suddenly he placed you back down on the floor, kicking the door shut and pushing you against it.

“I don’t think I’m gonna make it to the bed.”, he smirked , his soft hands moving down your sides, leaving goosebumps wherever they touched you. Your dress felt too tight, the room too hot - you needed to get out of it quickly! Leon watched your blush grow, this asshole smirk still on his lips. “I love how real you are.”, he muttered as he leaned in, brushing his lips over your pulse point, just enough to draw a soft gasp from your lips.

“What do you mean?”, you asked, puzzled. Leon just chuckled, “Haven’t you noticed? It’s all Photoshopped. All the women at the premiere had the same fucking ass. Same crooked lips from the same quack doctor. The same busted Botox faces, everywhere you go. Yet they think they’re hot shit.”, he whispered, hot air against your even hotter skin. “But you...look at you.”

And you did. You looked down on yourself and saw nothing but imperfections. You looked back to Leon with a frown but he just laughed, “Hollywood is suffocating as fuck, but you’re like a breath of fresh air.. Look at you! You even have stretch marks! I haven’t seen real stretch marks since I put my first step into a studio!”, Leon took a deep breath, his voice shaking as he said his next sentence, “And I want you so fucking badly.”

*

Only minutes later, Leon had marked you up, hickeys and little bites of pleasure and need covering your upper body, whatever part he could reach. The dress was long gone and you laid on the bed, watching Leon unbuttoning his dress shirt. Underneath the white fabric was a body riddled with scars and old, badly healed wounds. Each and every single one could tell a story you were ready to hear, but right now, all you wanted was Leon and only Leon. And he needed you too.

“Aren’t you fucking gorgeous?”, Leon asked as his hands reached behind you, undoing your bra with a simple movement. This man had disarmed bombs before, of course a bra wouldn’t cause him much trouble. “Look at you…”, he repeated once more once your bra was thrown across the room, landing on some random piece of furniture. You blushed under his hungry eyes, him taking in what would be his in mere minutes. “Spread your legs. I wanna taste you.”

*

You had an iron grip on Leon’s hair, bucking your hips to meet his touch. More, more, more! You needed more! While Leon’s tongue teased your entrance, he used his hand to hold you down, keeping you in place like the good girl that you had been. Well, had been until his tongue first licked up your folds, taking in the sweetness of your juices. Leon had consumed many different liquors in his life, but only your sweet juices could rival ambrosia, sending his drunken mind into another plane of existence.

“Leon!”, you moaned out the moment his calloused finger brushed over your clit. It had been begging for attention, but Leon - that dick - kept on lapping up your juices, sucking and nibbling carefully on your folds. The movements of his fingers were in a steady rhythm with the ones of his tongue, making your head spin once more. He knew how to play you like a fiddle, making you putty in his hands.

But before you could cum, Leon pulled away, his face covered in your sweet fluids and he licked over his lips with an obscene sound and a dirty smirk on his lips. “I can’t wait to fuck you ‘til you scream my name.”

*

The condom was put on quickly. Magnum, of course. What else would a guy like him need? The first stroke inside of you made you see stars for the third time in less than an hour, what an impact this man had on you. Leon was still inside of you, not moving until you were adjusted to his size, especially his girth. “You okay?”, he asked, to which you gave him a soft nod. “Yeah, I’ll be alright. It’s just… fuck, you’re big..”

Leon’s ego beamed at your words, and once you gave him the okay to continue, it was very hard for him to hold back in any way. You were too tight, too sweet, making him nearly burst on the spot. Instead, his mind wandered...but you were always part of those thoughts.

The wet noises of sex, lust, and unadulterated passion filled the room, along with soft panting and groans coming from you two, a noise as old as humankind. Your arms were tightly wrapped around Leon’s body, leaving behind tiny marks when you needed to hold onto him, your nails digging into his skin. Leon hissed at the stings but fuck, knowing you were marking him up too made him even harder, harder than he had ever been.

“Fuck, you feel so good.”, Leon moaned against your neck and buried his head there for a moment. All you could do was nod in agreement, not trusting your voice anymore. Leon reached down at this, pressing his palm between you two, against your clit. You needed this feeling, you were begging for your release.

*

“Come on, cum for me.”, Leon growled when he felt the first contractions around his cock. The needy undertone of his voice was the last thing you needed to push yourself over the edge. “Leon!”, you moaned and came around him, stilling in your movements. Leon rocked his hips a few more times before his own release overcame him, spilling into the condom as you milked him inside of you. It felt too good to be true, but Leon was real.

Once your high started to fade and the contractions lessened, Leon leaned in for a quick kiss, stealing it from your open lips as you tried to catch your breath again. You smiled up to him, loosening your grip around him. “That was great.”, you smiled and Leon dropped next to you after pulling out.

*

In the early morning hours, you woke up to an empty bed. Leon’s side was cold and you sat up, looking around in confusion. Where was he? He wouldn’t leave you alone, would he? Finally, you spotted him on the balcony and you quickly threw on one of the jackets laying around along with your panties.

“Good morning.”, you smiled at Leon, who was taking a drag from his cigarette. He greeted you while blowing the hot smoke out, then held up his arm, offering you a place next to him. You happily agreed, leaning against his warm body in the fresh morning hours.

“I’d love to see you again.”, Leon said after he exhaled another drag, looking down at you. This took you by surprise - why would he? You weren’t special at all, just a mere fan who managed to get into his penthouse suite with a lot of luck and cleavage. He grabbed his phone from the table next to him, offering you the open contact list, “I’d love to take you out on a few dates and such. Spend time with you. What do you think? Wanna give me your number?”

[miss-kittys-magical-library]

Don't Leave Me This Way

Warnings- angst, marital spats, language, a hint of spice

A/N- After a decade together, Honey and Leon have come undone. But on the anniversary of the day their lives changed, Leon decides to mend that. For @forenschik

Part One:

Honey was, in a word, incensed. That Leon would even think about the two of them going out on a weekday bothered her. Then again, at this point in their busy lives going out on ANY day bothered her. But that, Leon told her, was the problem. It was eat, sleep, work, kids, eat, sleep, work, OCCASIONALLY have sex. Throw in Sunny’s growing powers and the odd alternate universe traveller for good measure. That was the rhythm of married life she responded rather dismissively.

Leon took the club scheduling book out of Honey’s hand and held it high above his head where he knew Honey couldn’t fathom reaching it. “How about fuck off with this rhythm of life.”

“LEON!” Honey both whined and raised her voice at her husband as she scrambled to her feet and attempted to climb him. When that didn’t work, and he simply laughed at her and held the book higher, she stood on the desk chair. “How about you go fuck yourself?”

Leon threw the date book. Honey jumped to go after it, but he blocked her move. He held her tight in his arms so she was made to stand still. “Fuck’s sake, I was asking for a date. Now I’m telling you. You’re gonna go upstairs and get ready and put on that sexy purple dress. I’ve packed up The Littles. We’re taking them to your parents, and then we are going to that Italian restaurant you love on Mulberry Street. Then we’re coming home, and you’re getting a right good seeing to.” Before she could protest Leon clamped his hand over her mouth, “Now.”

Honey shockingly obeyed her husband. Her face crimson with anger as she held her chin in the air, arms crossed in front of her chest before throwing up the double finger. In the shower she realized something. It had been so long, and their lives were so busy, that Honey couldn’t discern being mad from being turned on. A lump formed in her throat because she was ashamed. Or disappointed? When was she ever NOT enamored by Leon? Maybe this date was exactly what they needed.

---

“I don't know, I think we should maybe homeschool Sunny. He's not going to have a handle on anything until he's come to the end of what he can do. Maybe we can communally teach him? Selina is fine, she always will be. She could use other normal kids. I think she and Sun are too dependent on each other. They're only six and seven. Usually that level of codependency comes later in life. Like you and Jonathan. I don't know, what do you think?”

Leon watched as his wife took her first breath since their dinners arrived. She swallowed most of her wine before chasing a tortellini around her plate. Her head in one hand like an insolent child instead of a woman in her thirties. Honey looked at Leon expectedly. He took a breath of his own, but she interjected just as he was about to speak.

“They might resent us if we separate though. Sunny needs to feel as normal as possible. They're in Montessori school, so all those kids are bound to be a little strange too. I guess if they were homeschooled you would have to cut back on your classes, and we would have to scale back on bookings.”

Leon clenched his jaw between sips of his bourbon. He stabbed at his dinner, chewed and swallowed while simmering. He sat back with the expectancy that Honey would continue, uninterrupted the same way she had for the last decade. He could feel the simmer start to boil just below the surface while, sure enough, she kept on.

“Punk is just taking off. I know CBGB is where it's at, but Hilly’s been a mensch sending us Patti, Debbie and The Ramones. I know we're still stuck in folk, but I REALLY think it can turn around into rock. There's this outrageous glam or metal or whatever band from LA. Oh! Did you get to hear that demo from the Irish band? Klaus said they're like, one of the biggest bands in the world. I don't know if that would be in our timeline too, but he's onto something. Get in while we can. But who wears sunglass-”

“αρκετά!!” Leon yelled. ENOUGH!

He banged a fist on the table which drew attention from nearby diners. His nostrils flared with anger and embarrassment. While the outburst mortified Leon, he also wouldn't take it back. It was his only means of getting Honey’s attention. And it did.

She sat back with her arms crossed. One eyebrow arched in challenge. Honey was no shrinking violet. She did tend to her grudges like a little garden. If she had to add Leon to it for a little while, so mote it be.

Leon’s face softened, his shoulders sank while he bit into his lip. Then he sat up straight, an air of defiance about him. Before she knew what was happening, Leon slid Honey around the booth with ease so that they sat side by side. He made a bold move when his wife turned away from him.

Leon snuck a hand inside of Honey’s bare thighs. He knew her. Knew she wouldn't be wearing any panties. It wasn't even meant as a tease. She just couldn't with this particular dress. He took advantage of that.

Letting two of his fingers delve inside of his wife, Leon slid them as painfully slow as possible. Her body reacted. It became instantaneously wet allowing him to slip in with ease. He continued in Italian.

“Tesoro mio, non stai zitto da dieci anni. Hai chiesto la mia opinione e io ne ho una.” His fingers pumped faster. One found her clit for a brief moment before abandoning it “Ora sii una brava moglie e lasciami dire la mia.”

My sweet, you haven't shut the fuck up in ten years. You asked for my opinion, and I have one. Now be a good wife and let me have my say.

Honey swallowed oxygen and choked on it. Her heart pounded in places she forgot carried a beat for the man beside her. Her hips shifted forward while she spread her legs to accommodate Leon.

“I'm.. sorry..” her breath came out choppy. “What.. what do you think?”

Leon removed his fingers and draped his arm along Honey’s shoulders. It curled around her neck but with a gentleness. All of the anger dissipated seeing his wife submit to him so easily. That sexual reminder he had as much agency in this marriage as she did.

“I think,” Leon lifted Honey’s chin so her face drew closer. Instead of her lips he kissed her forehead and caught her gaze, “It's time to send the Littles away without us.”

Honey inhaled ready to release a protest. Leon clamped a hand over her mouth. “For longer than a few days at the lake. Or a weekend down at the shore with your sister's kids. Or overnight at your parents place. It's time Yía Yía takes them to Greece.”

Leon felt his wife’s body start to tense. He knew she was processing what he had to say but was prepared to fight him every step of the way. He kept on, “We can take the kids to London, stay a day or two. Then the two of us are going away together for the first time. Not a weekend here. Or a day there. PROPER vacationing just us.”

“We-”

He cut Honey off with a kiss this time. “We can afford to close the club for a while. I love you, and I bloody love our kids. The three of you are my whole fucking world. Don’t you think we’ve gotten a bit lost? It hasn’t been just us since the 60s. You don’t even know what day it is, do you?”

Honey blanked. Her eyebrows knit together as her brain searched back through time to what she may have missed. Why a random day at the end of August was so important. Leon stared at his wife, willing her to remember. He knew she maybe just took it for granted that this instance had always been there. Neither could remember a time when it wasn’t.

Honey’s body deflated. “Oh, Leon.” Hot tears sprang to her eyes which she angrily wiped away. “When HAVEN’T I loved you? I don’t think I was ever able to boil it down to our last time away together. Has it really been ten years? I always thought the moment I saw you was the moment I fell in love. I held you at bay didn’t I?”

Leon used his thumbs to brush the tears away from her cheeks. One traced along her bottom lip before he pushed her hair off her shoulder to kiss it.

"Gracie, look at me." He lifted her chin again so their eyes met. She sniffled. "I think you know that little bits of me and you could scatter across the cosmos, and we would always find one another. It's why we need to get away, the two of us. C'mon, wanna go for a walk?

He stood, laid more money down than necessary, and reached for Honey's hand. She took it but rebuffed the rest, "Leon, it's midnight. It's the hottest summer on record. And someone is murdering women with dark hair and their lovers."

"So?!" She frowned. "Oh bugger off!" he teased. "Klaus said his name's David Berkowitz, and he never goes outside of Queens. I just want to hold my missus's hand and walk beside her a little while. That's all."

How could Honey resist?

Part 2 coming next week 💋

@elliethesuperfruitlover @magic-multicolored-miracle @maerenee930 @nightmonsters @neuroticpuppy @firstpersonnarrator @frogs--are--bitches @rob-private @bisexualnathanyoung @super-unpredictable98 @messengeronthemoon @a-ghoulish-tale @love-is-dirty-baby @vonkimmeren @duck-noises @feed-davis-and-steve @ghouls-buddy

[honeyandhondewberries]

Hi! :) Could a please request a cutesy/fluffy LeonxRaihan story where Leon gets to witness Raihan interacting with baby dragon Pokémon? Maybe something like Leon having a crisis because he only ever viewed Raihan as his tough rival and has never seen this side of him?

yaaass cutsey leonxraihan story yaasss gay panic yaasss. made this one Long so it’s also a oneshot on Ao3

~~

Leon, You’re Staring (LeonxRaihan)

“Stop!”

“Don’t tell me to stop, you stop!”

Laughter rang through the swaying grass of Route 6, easily surrounding the two trainers that trekked down the path. It was nearing sunset, and although that normally meant cooler temperatures, the intense heat was still blustering over the orange rock and over the Champion and Dragon Gym Leader. Flushed faces, sweaty bodies, shiny smiles – normally Leon loved training in the heat and found it exhilarating, but not when Raihan was desperate to strip out in the open.

“There’s no one out here, it doesn’t even matter,” Raihan retorted as he tried to pull his shirt off again, though Leon tugged it back down in defiance. “Leon it’s a billion degrees out!”

“We are too close to Hammerlocke,” Leon growled in return. “What if someone sees you, half naked and sweating?”

“Then they’d say, ‘thanks for such a treat,’” Raihan said as he swatted Leon’s hand away again. “The one time I’ve ever remotely hot and you don’t even let me cool down.”

“Don’t blame this on me,” Leon scoffed. “Blame this on you needing to keep your image family-friendly.”

“Rubbish,” Raihan said, and he quickened his pace so he was out of reach from Leon’s frustrated tugging. “You just want this half naked and sweaty body all to yourself.”

“Yeah okay,” Leon laughed. He shot a glance to Hammerlocke, and once he deemed it far enough away, let out a frustrated, “Whatever, do what you want.”

At that, Raihan made quick work of peeling off his shirt and tying it around his forehead, along with letting out an over-dramatic sigh. His skin glistened with a light sheen of sweat, and he rolled his shoulders as if his light t-shirt had been terribly constricting his range of motion.

“So much better,” he hummed. “Okay, your turn.”

“What?”

“C’mon champ, take it off,” Raihan teased as he gave Leon a once over. “Let’s see those famous pecs.”

“Maybe later,” Leon chuckled, rolling his eyes.

“Alright, how ‘bout a battle then?” Raihan grinned. “If I win, you take off your shirt. If you win, I’ll take off my pants.”

Leon barked out another laugh and added a playful shove as he and Raihan continued down the path. It wasn’t often he got to spend time with Raihan like this, but every minute seemed to refuel his energy stores. His best mate had a good habit of doing that, either with jokes or an intense, blazing battle. Lately, Leon had only been able to see Raihan on the Champion pitch, where they would ferociously throw everything they had at one another. So, being with Raihan like this almost made Leon giddy. He motioned to let out another quip, only to pause when Raihan held his arm out.

His smile was gone, and the electric blue of his eyes were no longer childishly glinting but were focused on something on the path ahead. Leon paused, waiting and listening for whatever it was that had taken Raihan’s attention. All that surrounded them was the swaying of the grass, then suddenly, a weak cry.

“Did you hear that?” Raihan asked, and Leon nodded.

There it was again. A faint mewling came from a tuft of green grass a few feet ahead, and Raihan delicately covered the space between him and the sound. Soft rustling filled the air as he knelt, then a quiet ‘oh, no.’

“What?” Leon asked as he stepped behind Raihan.

“Poor thing,” Raihan whispered, completely ignoring the champion behind him. “You okay, buddy?”

Leon peered over Raihan’s shoulder to see him cupping the bruised jaw of a tiny Trapinch. The Pokémon had fat tears rolling down its cheeks, each of them glinting as they plopped to the dirt below. Its shaking only made the tears fall faster.

“I won’t hurt you,” Raihan whispered as he gently stroked the Trapinch’s head. “What happened?”

The Trapinch let out another soft cry, its entire body quaking.

“It’s so small,” Leon said as he watched Raihan inspect the Pokémon. It had a bruise on the top of its head, and what looked like a broken back leg. Bruises littered its body, and faint scratches throbbed red against the dirty orange of its skin.

“I think it’s just a baby,” Raihan said softly as he unraveled his shirt from his head. He lifted the Trapinch to gently swaddle it, who let out another soft cry. “You’re safe now, I won’t hurt you. Let’s take you to the Pokémon Center, okay?”

The two immediately turned back to Hammerlocke. Raihan’s strides were long, as they usually were, but he never once took his eyes off the Trapinch. He muttered soothing words to it as they traveled the short distance back to the city, and Leon’s brow furrowed at this sudden sweetness coming from his rival. What happened to that biting wit from barely two minutes ago, that blazing competition?

Hm…

Well, it was only natural that a Gym Leader be caring towards Pokémon.

Those thoughts faded as they reached the Pokémon Center in Hammerlocke. The nurse was quick and succinct, and informed them that the Trapinch was probably only a few months old, and would be fine despite whatever scuffle it was in. She healed up most of the bruises and scratches, but the broken back leg would take a while to heal. Raihan immediately decided he’d take care of the Pokémon for as long as it took for its leg to heal, the nurse nodded and said that was sweet, then again told him to please put on a shirt.

After finally obeying the nurse’s request and swaddling the Trapinch in a Pokémon Center–themed blanket instead, Leon and Raihan walked out the sliding glass doors and into the main streets of Hammerlocke.

“You’re going to be safe and sound with me, okay?” Raihan cooed as he held the Trapinch close to his chest. “I won’t let anything hurt you.”

The Trapinch let out another faint squeak, then nuzzled its face into Raihan’s chest. It was a cute motion, but what grabbed Leon’s attention was how Raihan smiled. It wasn’t something smug, there was no evidence of that cocky shark-toothed grin, but rather it was… gentle. Might’ve been the gentlest thing Leon had ever seen, coming from Raihan. The soft curve of his lips, the delicate squint of his eyes from that smile – it was something so strange, so foreign, and so confusing, it made Leon stop in his tracks.

He hadn’t done any strenuous exercise, so why was Leon’s heart suddenly thumping harder in his chest?

“What’s up?” Raihan asked, turning to face the suddenly still champion. “You good?”

Leon blinked a few times as he processed Raihan’s question. The setting sun was reflecting off the windows of the café beside them, softly dappling on the ground, on the Trapinch snuggled in his arms, and on Raihan himself.

Did… Did Raihan always look like this?

Long legs, trim waist, defined arms, soft smile, striking eyes… did Raihan’s eyes always look like that? Were they always that color? Shining electric blue in the light of the setting sun, as if he should be part of the sky as well?

…odd.

When he cocked an eyebrow, Leon jolted into focus again.

“Yes!” Leon blurted. “But where are we going!”

Raihan furrowed his brow at Leon’s volume, and shielded the Trapinch as if the noise would damage it further.

“My apartment,” Raihan said, and Leon fell into step with him as they started again. “I already said that, were you not listening?”

“No, I was, I was,” Leon said, trying to better maintain the strange squeak in his voice. “Yeah I heard you I just forgot.”

“Too busy staring at me?” Raihan asked. “Too distracted?”

“Wh-,” Leon started, his cheeks tingeing pink (though he was sure it was just because of the heat). “Th-that’s… No! That’s not true, that’s rubbish!”

Raihan’s brow furrowed, though his teasing smile was still easy on his face.

Why was Leon stuttering? Why didn’t he just laugh it off like earlier? Why didn’t Raihan’s joking accusation roll off his back, why was it jumbling the words in his mouth?

These questions didn’t seem to plague Raihan, as he only shrugged and led the way back to his apartment. Leon was unsuccessful in averting his gaze, because now he couldn’t quite understand why Raihan seemed different. He could accurately predict how much Hop had grown down to the quarter of an inch, so why couldn’t he pick out what was different about Raihan?

The same tall frame, strong shoulders, sharp jawline… and yet, there was something else, too. Something else that made Leon’s throat a little tight.

“Leon.”

“Huh?” Leon grunted with a start. “What?”

“I asked if you wanted to stay for dinner,” he asked, and Leon’s heart thumped yet again when Raihan squinted at him.

He nodded quickly, almost too quickly, though again he wasn’t sure why.

Before long they were in Raihan’s apartment, sitting on Raihan’s couch, both tucked in soft blankets as the cool twilight breeze blew in from the open window. The lights were dimmed, as to help Trapinch fall asleep faster, but Leon could only focus on how the soft glow of the lamps around them made Raihan seem almost ethereal.

“Come pet Trapinch, Leon,” Raihan hummed, and Leon immediately obeyed.

He scooched down the couch until he was an inch away from Raihan’s thigh, though he for some reason couldn’t cover the rest of the distance to press against him. When Raihan’s fingers brushed his, immediately goosebumps raised on Leon’s arms and he shot his hand back.

“Chill out, what’s wrong with you,” Raihan asked as he grabbed Leon’s hand again. “Are you that scared of a baby Pokémon?”

Raihan tugged him forward, and Leon’s unstable posture led him to tumble into Raihan’s side. Raihan must have bene anticipating that, because he easily lifted his arm and wrapped it around Leon’s shoulders, his other arm still holding Trapinch against his chest.

Leon certainly wasn’t anticipating that, however, and he also wasn’t anticipating how his brain seemed to be short-circuiting. He swallowed, blinked a few times, and acted as normal as possible by giving Trapinch a few pats. Trapinch immediately let out another affectionate cry and nuzzled into Leon’s touch.

“You’re a natural,” Raihan sighed, his voice rumbling through Leon’s body.

Natural.

The word resonated within Leon, settled into his bones, as he again took in their placement.

Is that what this was?

“You’re so sweet,” Raihan whispered, wrinkling his nose again when Trapinch bumped it.

Leon’s brow furrowed.

This… was this even Raihan?

“You hungry?” Raihan asked Trapinch, his voice barely a hum as Trapinch bumped his nose again. “No? What do you want?”

Raihan pressed a gentle kiss onto the Pokémon, who let out a garbled cry of delight. He chuckled and pressed another kiss to Trapinch’s paw as Leon stared with a confused countenance. Who was this man, so gentle and calm, pressing gentle kisses to a baby Pokémon?

Leon’s eyes flit to Raihan’s mouth when he kissed Trapinch again.

This man sounded like Raihan, looked like Raihan, and yet something seemed… different. Leon squinted his eyes.

Hm.

What was it?

His eyes? His smile? His lips?

Leon’s eyelids lowered an inch.

Maybe…

Were Raihan’s lips always so plush…?

So… soft and perfect?

What would it feel like if…

What if that were him?

Soft lips pressing against his… sweet whispers just for him… that smile so close…

Leon’s eyes widened at that thought and he immediately bolted off the couch. Both Raihan and Trapinch jumped, and Raihan offered a frustrated scowl at the haphazard movement. He curled his arms around Trapinch into a secure hug, protecting it from the fumbling champion.

“Sorry,” Leon spluttered out. “I-I, uh, I thought I felt something.”

Raihan raised an eyebrow, then glanced to where Leon was sitting.

“What?” he asked.

“I’m going to get a drink,” Leon coughed. “Um. Be right back.”

“…Alright,” he said as Leon scrambled to the kitchen. That suspicious gaze was boring into the back of his head, and Leon again wondered what the hell was going on with him.

As Leon filled a cup for himself and promptly chugged it down, those images kept flashing into his mind.

Raihan, holding Leon in his lap.

Raihan, smiling against his lips.

Raihan, kissing his cheek, his jaw, his neck.

Raihan, whispering soothing words to him.

“Leon?”

With a start, the glass tumbled from Leon’s hands and shattered on the floor, spurring a yelped expletive from the champion.

“You alright?” came Raihan’s voice from the other room.

“Yeah!” Leon called back, though he was definitely not alright. “Just, uh, the glass slipped!”

“Okay, well the broom’s in the closet. Get me a cup too when you’re done.”

“Yeah,” Leon called again, then he let out a sigh. “Yeah, I will…”

What was going on with him? Raihan was his rival and best mate, and that was the limit. He couldn’t think about him like that, like he was something… more than that.

Leon had swept up the shattered glass and was going to grab another from the cabinet, only to freeze when Raihan stepped into the kitchen too, stopped only a foot away, hands on his hips and scowl on his face.

“Leon, you’re acting weird,” Raihan said as he squinted his eyes and leaned closer. “What’s going on with you?”

Raihan had leaned closer only a few inches, but the less space between them was dizzying. Those eyes, those lips, that body pressing into his space – it was all suddenly squeezing Leon’s chest, beading the sweat on his brow, and making his heart pound in his ears. Had Raihan always been this tall? Had he always looked like this? Had his eyes always been that color? Had his lips always seemed so, so, so soft?

“Where’s Trapinch?” Leon deflected as he backed against the counter.

“Sleeping on the couch, don’t change the topic,” Raihan said as he stepped closer. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing!” Leon blurted. “Nothing, nothing’s wrong.”

“Liar,” Raihan said. “Your face is flushed.”

“No it isn’t,” Leon quickly retorted, yet he could feel his cheeks burning the closer Raihan leaned.

Kiss me

The thought was gone as quickly as it came, yet it seared into Leon’s brain like it was burned there.

Was… was that him?

Did he just think that?

Did Raihan hear that?

No, why would he think that?

Why would.

Why would…

“Yes it is, you're blushing,” Raihan said as his brow furrowed. He lifted his hand, and Leon’s breath caught when he gently cupped his jaw, then ran his thumb over Leon’s cheek.

Kiss me

“I-I,” Leon stuttered. “I-I, um…”

His eyelids were fluttering despite himself, and something pulled much too strong in his stomach when Raihan set his hand beside Leon’s waist, effectively pinning him against the counter.

What was going on with him?

Kiss me

He didn’t really want Raihan to kiss him, right?

Kiss me

He was his best mate, his rival, not someone Leon was… was…

Raihan’s eyes flicked to his lips.

Kiss me kiss me kiss me

…was suddenly and insanely attracted to.

“You sure?” Raihan whispered. “This is the fourth time I’ve caught you staring at me.”

“W-was I?” Leon coughed out. Raihan nodded. “I, uh, hadn’t noticed.”

“I have,” Raihan said as he pressed closer. “Staring at my lips, actually. You doing that on purpose, or do I have something on my face?”

Kiss me

“Nothing’s on your face,” Leon replied dumbly. “I-I mean there is, that’s why I was… um… staring.”

“Why don’t you get it for me,” Raihan breathed as he leaned closer.

“I… I…” Leon mumbled. His words were failing him, as was his will to stop whatever this was, as Raihan tilted his chin up.

“I’ve been flirting with you for years and all it took was snuggling a Trapinch?”

Kiss me

“Well, I-I,”

Kiss me

“I meant that… um…”

Kiss me kiss me kiss me

“What do you want, Leon?” Raihan whispered. The nerves on his lips were tingling as if lightning were about to strike.

Kiss me kiss me kiss me

“I want… I want you to… um…”

Raihan’s breath whispered over Leon’s lips, only a few inches away. Everything in Leon was burning – his cheeks, his throat, his chest, his mind as that thought repeated again and again.

Kiss me kiss me kiss me kiss me

“I… I want…” Leon whispered again.

Kissmekissmkissmekissmekissmekissmekissmekissmekissmekissme

“Say it, Leon,” Raihan breathed.

“Kiss me.”

Raihan covered the space between them, hovered an inch away, and gently pressed his lips against Leon’s.

Softly.

So, so softly. It was such a soft kiss, just as soft as Leon imagined. Perfect, plush lips, pressing against his, between his, just a glint of electric blue whenever his eyes would flutter open – it all made him a little dizzy.

“Kiss me,” Leon mumbled against Raihan’s mouth, who in turn let out a laugh.

“I literally am,” Raihan said, and offered Leon another peck, then another when Leon gripped the front of his shirt.

“Kiss me,” Leon mumbled again, as if those were the only words he knew.

Raihan opened his mouth to respond, only to be cut off by a cry from the living room. Immediately Raihan bolted away to tend to Trapinch, and Leon was left cold from the lack of Raihan’s heat against him, and yet everything within him was burning.

Did that…

Did they…

Did that just happen?

Suddenly Raihan’s head popped out from around the corner.

“The second I get Trapinch to sleep, you will meet me on the couch, and we will continue that.”

Leon breathed out a laugh when Raihan smiled, and he nodded at the idea of fulfilling those wonderings he had only earlier that night.

Luckily it didn’t take long for Trapinch to fall asleep.

[pokeexehasstoppedworking]

Love Doesn’t Do Encores Ch10 Battle Gym Leader Nessa

(Will have a reference to Pokemon Twilight Wings Series.)

You slept well that night. The hotel wasn't too far from the Hulbury stadium so it wasn't a very long walk from where you four left the light house and stationed yourselves for the night. Not before dishing out the rations between the four of you. You were a lot lower on food than you thought and surprised you hadn't noticed earlier. A month's walk drained almost all of the food you had aside from a few packets of dried fruits. Thank goodness for restocking. The next morning wasn't anything too different. Gloria and Hop of course wanted to stop by the stadium and get one of them that spot to battle Nessa before another trainer took it. Huh. You wonder how the battle between her and Bede went the other day? Victor mentioned wanting to go back towards the Hulbury Aquarium and offered for you to come with them but you had other plans for the day.

"Hey, Y/n. Since Glory and Hop's going to be busy all day considering would you like to come with me to the aquarium?, Victor offered after the two of you had dug through your rations for breakfast. Your Sobble tiredly yawning on your shoulder rubbing at his eyes.

You shook your head. "No thanks. I actually wanted to check out that market down by the docks. I heard they sell all kinds of trinkets and stuff and it's been a while since I was able to go somewhere by myself and have some me time."

He nodded in understanding before smiling. "Alright then. You guys know where I'll be if you change your minds."

The two of you parted ways outside the hotel before you headed back up the road towards the docks. Already in the morning the place was all a buzz with ship horns blaring off in the distance and a few people walking around. It was a nice day with the salty smell of the ocean, the gently breeze, not being too hot but nice and warm, etc. It was a very nice day that filled your tired body with a happy feeling as you inhaled deeply. The small market place was past the restaurant and just across the docks past the convenience store you had visited the other day for supplies. It wasn't really big. There was only about five stalls set up alongside a concrete wall with one or two picnic tables a little bit a ways from them. A few people were already there looking at the stalls or sitting at the tables to eat or just to sit. Walking over you strolled up to the first stall that sold a few random things like flowers, dishes, and a couple clothes hanging up. The man handling it was talking up some of the flower pots but you weren't too interested in those so shortly after moved on. The other four were a fruit stand, someone selling records, another one selling random objects, but the last one had you notice something. Sweet smells of perfumes and spices wafted from it the closer you gotten to it. And it didn't take too long for you to find out why. A young lady was there surrounded by a bunch of incense. She smiled as you stopped to admire all the sweet smells and gave a greeting.

"Get a whiff of that fragrance! Doesn't it smell sweet?," she asked holding out some sweet smelling sticks that smelt of lilacs, "How about some incense for you, Girl? Good for meditation, yoga, relaxing, or just making a room smell nice. And it all natural so it's safe for pokemon too and helps them destress....As long as they don't eat it. Non edible."

"Destress huh?,'' you pondered looking at your sobble who seemed more interested in staring at the food stand with hungry eyes despite just eating breakfast a while ago. Considering how spooked this lil guy could be, it might be a good idea. "....What scents to you have exactly?"

You ended up using the twenty dollar bill you had saved forever now to buy some of the sea and rose scented incense and then later one or two apples at the fruit stand since your sobble kept jumping on your shoulder and chirping in it's directed until you finally did so. All of it costing almost half your money leaving you from twenty dollars to twelve dollars and some change. You found yourself wondering over until you sat down at one of the picnic tables so your sobble could sit and eat and give your poor shoulders a break from carrying it all the time. Granted Sobble wasn't really that heavy, about half the weight of a small cat, but it was nice to be able to stretch your shoulders and neck out without worrying about accidentally knocking him off. Lazily you watched it make happy noises as it greedily ate as if you didn't already give it a big breakfast about an hour ago. It was still pretty early in the morning so it you really hadn't anything to do other than just sit here and watch your sobble. But it was refreshing. With a sigh you closed your eyes and slowly put your head down on the table. The only problem with having a bunch of free time is that your brain slowly fills itself with thoughts you might not want. Like now. You had been gone for what must've been a little over a month now. How worried was your mom? She must've been worrying herself sick if you were gone for this long without any notice or clues or anything. And(tho you were HIGHLY doubtful now-) if this all IS some kind of dream universe it was certainly the longest one you ever experienced. Not only that, but you were SURELY not going to be able to start college just like you wanted. You'd have to wait another year just to start it and that's only if considering you'd be able to go home after this whole journey has finished. It was the only way you could think of that you could go back, once this is over. If it'll ever be-

"I can NOT believe this!," an angry woman's voice piped up. Startled you jumped up and blinked light rushing back into your vision.

"Calm down, Ness. Don't make a big scene in public." ....That voice sounded familiar.

"I AM calm. I'm just restocking my incense before I head back!" Now that you think about it, that angry voice sounded familiar too.

Blinking you turned around to look behind you, and your eyes widened at what you saw. Two ladies were at the incense stand with their backs towards you, one with bright orange hair and a coat you recognized and the other wore a black cap and shirt.

"First he said I should stop modeling and now he's breathing down my neck because I just happened to lose to his endorsed challenger!,'' Cap Lady growled out as she waved her hand. "I mean yeah, usually I'm busy so I cut back to one challenger a day! That doesn't mean I lost my touch as a gym leader!" She paused as the lady manning the stall held out a small paper bag of incense to her similar to the one you had. "Oh..Thank you. It just drives me up a wall just thinking about it!"

"Then don't think about it," Orange hair replied patting her friend on the back, "It'll only stress you out before your other gym match today."

Cap Lady sighed. "You're right, Sonia...As usual. It just ticks me off knowing he's in town just to see you too no less and buddy up with the crowd!! It makes me angry!"

"Sonia?"

The orange haired woman turned to you immediately as you stared back, her friend turning too and that's when you recognized the other woman too. She smiled. "Hey, Y/n! Fancy meeting you here! Haven't seen you in a while." She fully turned to you now and walked over her friend following.

You casually waved where you sat and gave a tired smile. "Yeah. Honestly wasn't expecting to see you here either. What are you doing here?"

She gestured to none other than Nessa next to her. "I was chatting with an old friend before she needed to go. Since you're here I assume Gloria can only be here as well."

You nodded. "Yeah. I'm pretty sure she's at the stadium right now." Your gaze slowly shifted over to nessa as you spoke and you waved again. "Hello again. Nice weather you guys have here."

Nessa smiled. "Yeah. It's usually warm and sunny here all year round being the coast and all. You should visit the beach if you ever get the chance."

You shrugged. "I might. I mean I guess my sobble could use the chance to swim."

"Well, that all depends. Is your sobble a freshwater or saltwater sobble?"

"There's a difference?"

"Hey wait a minute!" Both of you turned to Sonia who was looking between the two of you with a confused look on her face. "You two know each other?"

"Sort of. She helped me out with some stuff yesterday, I didn't even know she was the gym leader until someone told me," you explained with a shrug, "I just appreciate anyone who helps carry groceries."

"Oh. I see. What are you doing here if Gloria is I assume at the stadium?," she asked.

You gestured to your sobble as it spat out an apple seed. "Someone wanted more food. I'm telling you he's worse than a kid hyped up on sugar once he sees the stuff." Both of you jumped at a ....snort? Blinking you looked at Nessa and noticed her holding her mouth and chuckling.

"I-I'm so sorry," she giggled out, "That's just the funniest thing that I've heard all day while stressing out. U-U-Usually people don't say that about s-s-sobble care."

You blinked. "Oh yeah?"

Sonia nodded as Nessa's giggles slowly fizzled out. "Usually sobbles are....how do you say it?...Massive cry babies that'll cry at the tiniest things like a baby would. It happened ALL the time with my Granny gave a trainer their first pokemon." She groaned closing her eyes as if the memory gave her instant annoyance and headaches. "They don't get an extra snack? BOOM! Crying! They trip the littlest, I mean tiniest bit. Crying! You're too busy to pet them? Crying! Forget playtime? CRYING! And don't get me started on the amount of times I had to buy Sobble Eye Drops for all the stinging and headaches. It's like walking on eggshells until they evolve into a drizzile! It's why a bunch of trainers rather chose scorbunny or grookey than a sobble." She pointed towards yours who had finished eating and began crawling it's way over to you. "In fact, the sobble Granny gave Leon for the trainers he endorsed was the pokemon who stayed in our care the longest. She must've had it for at least since it hatched and was given to her. It was such a little wimp clinging to her all the time...I never really had mush patience for them."

You jolted when something tugged on your arm, calming yourself once you noticed it was just your pokemon. "...Really?"

With a frown Nessa sighed. "She's right. Sobbles are much better suited for older more patient people. They aren't exactly really popular pokemon among starting trainers who are eager to start their journey. Most end up for adoption to pokemon centers or abandoned to the wild because the person decides it's not worth it to have their eyes burning after every battle or basically raise what could essentially be a child in their eyes." Her eyes suddenly narrowed. "I remember once Raihan came all the way to Hulbury just to give me a sobble someone carelessly discarded at his gym after they lost. The poor thing was so confused and scared. It was a miracle I found someone who loved it. Much more than the thoughtless trainer who never gave it a second thought. Pokemon aren't just toys you can give away or leave lying around after you decided you outgrew them."

"THAT'S AWFUL!!,'' you shouted feeling an anger grow in you as one hand instinctly came up to grab your sobble who chirped in confusion at your actions, both women giving you looks of surprise at your shout. How could anyone DO such a horrible thing!? That's like the equivilant of someone getting a brand new puppy and then not wanting to deal with the work and attention that goes into it and then straight up abandoning it to the streets in your world!! "How could anyone do such a thing?! That's like...So not ok!"

"Well....That is very true. Its not ok. But it seems to be you and your sobble have a very special connection," Nessa said gesturing towards your sobble making Sonia take a double take at you as well.

"Huh. Now that you mention it he does looked rather relaxed. He usually never looked so comfortable before Granny gave him to Leon."

"Really?,'' you asked, "He seemed pretty ok so far. Cried like...only one time but that might be cuz he was pushed over by these rockstar wannabes."

To that the ladies seemed lightly surprised. "Really now? Well then you must have lots of patience then. Sobbles usually tend to work better with people who have lots of patience or a motherly personality."

"And considering you mentioned never having a pokemon before I'm kinda impressed too. You must be a natural babysitter!," Sonia joked. You huffed and rolled your eyes at her joke. Yeah. You sure felt like one sometimes during your journey so far.

"Oh, Scales!" You blinked backed towards Nessa as she now held up her phone to her face with a frown before looking back towards you and Sonia. "Hey. Sorry but I have to bounce. I have to stop by home then head to the gym really quick if I'm going to make it to that match on time." Turning with a smile she waved. "I'll see you later Sonia. It was nice seeing you again too, Miss. good luck with that sobble of yours."

As she walked away, the both of you waved as you watched her go before Sonia turned back to you. "Hey. If you're not really busy, would you like to come to the docks with me?" She held up a small clear plastic bag with, what looked like to you at least, dog kibble with a smile. "There's always a small school of chinchou everyone likes to feed there. I always like to visit whenever I come to Hulbury."

You paused considering her words for a moment. It would be nice to have more time with another person around your age before you had to go back for a bit and they wouldn't be expecting you for a while. So it should be fine. With a shrug you stood up. "Sure! I don't think I've ever seen a chinchou anyways."

Smiling she gestured for you to follow. "C'mon. We're pretty close anyways. I think you'd really like them."

She was right. The small market area was right across from the docks anyways, so it took less than five minutes to reach the docks. You followed her onto the pathways on the water and looked over the edge. The crystal blue water acting like a mirror letting you see your reflection and your sobble's as it blinked big innocent eyes at the water. You nearly bumped into her when she stopped and already had the bag open with her hand inside rummaging around until she pulled out a small handful of the kibble. With a toss they all went into the clear water sending small ripples as they floated and bobbed on the mirror water. That was until almost instantly bubbles appeared from under them and in a flurry of lightbulb antennas and blue skin tons of tiny little creatures swam to the surface and the floating kibble was devoured by the pokemon. You blinked as you watched them swim around. There must've been around ten of them all swimming about here. You blinked as the bag was suddenly held out to you with a smile from Sonia.

"Do you wanna feed them a little? This pokemon food is specifically made for water type pokemons' tastes," she offered.

"Yeah! Thanks!" You happily took some from her and a small blue hand tried to reach out for it too as you pulled away and gave your sobble a look. It stared at you for a moment before chirping and grabbing your nose. "*sigh* Fine." With a sigh and roll of your eyes, you silently held one piece of the kibble up to him and watched as he grabbed it from you and popped it into his mouth. Before tossing more kibble at the peeping lanturn fish like pokemon still swimming around. As before they began devouring it. "They sure are hungry huh?"

"Always are," Sonia replied tossing some more kibble to them. "It's a really popular thing to do around here if you aren't visiting the stadium or Aquarium or eating at the famous cafe up the road. Since there's a battle later today with Nessa I suspect that's why it's so vacant."

You smiled. "Yeah. I just hope everything goes well for them later today. Hop and her seemed pretty excited to go battling Nessa."

Sonia nodded. "I can't blame them. When Leon and I were they're age we were excited over battling the gym leaders too." She smiled at some distant long memory. "In fact, it seemed like it was just yesterday I was right here feeding some Chinchou and then Leon came out of no where and fell in the water! S-Said he d-d-didn't even know how he got there looking for the stadium." She giggled and you couldn't help but smile back.

"Oh. Is that anything like the time I heard he somehow ended up on top of a barn?" Sonia snorted. "Or the time he went out to catch a train and somehow ended up back in front of his house?"

"That happened?"

You nodded. "Oh yeah. He ended up waiting for me to thank me for the two's Slumbering Weild field trip after it happened. I have no idea how."

She chuckled. "Neither do I. Lee's always had a bad sense of direction just like his Da-" She froze. The once smile and cheery attitude replaced by a look of mild panic before she coughed and tossed some more kibble towards the chinchou. "Hey. Look at how cute they are today. They look like such healthy wild chinchou. Don't you think?"

It was her attempting to deflect away from what she already said. You knew that and personally you wouldn't really bother looking into it as 1. It was really none of your business and you hated budding into someone else's business and 2. you didn't feel up to making Sonia more uncomfortable than she already looked...But you couldn't help yourself since this was the second time this has happened. ...That's right. She did a similar thing at the Opening Ceremony when she asked you not to mention what she said to anyone. By now you had completely forgotten about that moment with everything that's been going on and at the time just brushed it off having more important things to worry about. But now....You looked at her and by the look in her eyes she knew what you were about to ask.

"That's right. I spent a few days between their houses and I saw their families. And I met their mothers. And Hop's grandparents." You fully turned to her with a raised brow. "And Hop's older brother. And Gloria's brother. But not have I ever once seen any of their dads nor had they even mentioned them. So that's begging the question of where's the missing link then isn't it?"

There was a pregnant silence between the two of you as you stared at her expectantly and Sonia stared back down at the water, seemingly trying to process the situation she found herself in. The only sounds was the boat horns from the docks, and the splashing around and noises of the chinchou as they still begged for more of the kibble Sonia held. And after more silence your expression softened and a guilty feeling bubbled up. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to ask. Even if you were traveling with them it was none of your business really. So you went to apologize.

With a sigh, Sonia finally seemed to find her words and turned to you with a sad but serious look. "I...understand if you're concerned or curious. I'd be too all things considering. But I really CANT tell you anything since it's not my place to say....By now you obviously noticed they just..aren't there and let's leave it as that."

You nodded. "Hey. I'm..I-I'm sorry. I know it's none of my business. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."

She shook her head. "No. To be honest you wouldn't be the first one to ask that question to Leon or anyone else and you probably won't be the last. But if you could do us both a solid and not tell anyone about this it'd be great."

"Believe me, I was about to ask you the same thing." You smiled. "Trust me. I won't tell us a soul."

"Thank you, Y/n. I'm glad you understand."

"Hey. Of course!"

So.....No fathers in the picture huh? A strange feeling settled into your guts that was something akin to feeling extremely guilty. And a....strange feeling of familiarity of it all for your own reasons...Then the reality hit you. In a memory of what happened back at the inn back in Motostoke. In the very slip up Sonia had made before that you had passed off until now-

"And thanks for taggin' along with the kids this far. I know we're practically strangers but there's just....I don't know....really good aura about you. I'm sure Lee appreciates it too. He's always so worried about Hop. He practically raised him after all-" All of a sudden it was like a switch flipped off in her mind and her happy smile went to a sudden shocked face. "Oh no. I didn't mean to mention that. Please forget I even said that."

You had pretty much pieced it together right after remembering that. For some reason, in one way or another, Hop and the twins had no fathers and Leon as Sonia said must've practically filled the role in which a father figure would fill. This would sum up a lot of the things you've bared witness too. Hop and Gloria's infatuation with Leon(especially on Hop's end), they're desire to climb their way up the ranks and make him proud-..Heck. Leon's behavior know that you think about it could've been summed up as brotherly...or fatherly. Sponsoring two (although it was VERY clear he was full on ready to just endorse Victor as well no questions asked if he hadn't made the choice of not competing in the Gym Challenge) kids for the challenge which as you came to know wasn't typical of a Galar Champion, buying you and them all those supplies and stuff, and with what Sonia said just set that fact in concrete. And....While that did make you feel guilty and sad for them...At the end of the day it really was none of your business. Any moment or day now you could wake up back home and none of this would have mattered, and you shouldn't really butt in between their business. Especially since you weren't planning on staying in the long run. Plus...you were trying NOT to uproot the game's progress as much as possible or no more than you might've already had done if at all with your actions. You might've not remembered how the game went entirely but you knew you were on the right track. For now at least. You continued to make small talk with Sonia about how her research was going and your trip over before deciding it was best to part ways there and bid her farewell before heading back towards the stadium. Nessa mentioned leaving to make sure she arrived on time. You wondered if Gloria was battling her right now?...Well you soon found out the answer to that question.

when you were just making your way up to the resturaunt your stomach grumbled. Making you wince a bit. Huh. Guess you were out for longer than you thought if you got hungry. Glancing up to the cafe you wondered how much a simple meal would cost? It was supposed to be famous for their food after all. With a shrug you decided on entering and seeing if they had anything your measly twelve dollars could buy. Fancy was the first word that came to mind when you entered through the double doors and a bell rung off. A woman at a front desk was the first thing to greet you along with some kind of pokemon you didn't recognize. It seemed the theme of the whole place was blue and white, giant tables lined the area with table setting and napkins fancily folded into boat like shapes, a MASSIVE window looking over the stadium, and a bar like area near the far right walls with another pair of double doors you assumed lead to the kitchen. The only other people there besides you and the lady was a man behind the bar counter who was talking on the phone with someone.

The woman smiled at you. "Greetings and welcome to the Hulbury Seafood Restaurant!" She greeted with a bow. "Do you happen to have a reservation or would like to make one?"

"Uh-..." You shook your head. Oh man. Was this one of those places where you HAD to make a reservation in order to eat? "Not exactly. I just heard your food was pretty good."

The woman still smiled. "Oh. Well then I'd be more than happy to seat you by the-"

"AHH!" Both of you jumped when a thud rang out which turned out to be the man in the chef hat slamming down the phone he was previously talking to.

"Chef, what on earth is the matter?," the woman asked.

The chef pointed to the phone scowl on his face. "My delivery boy just called. Apparently he's caught a cold and can't make it today! Out of all the days I need him most." The old man grabbed at his grey hair. "I have all these orders and no one to take them. The Chairman could show up any minute for his reservation but instead he's going to be present with angry customers calling for their orders and our reputation as Hulbury's greatest restaurant will be tarnished!!"

"Well...I could run out and deliver a few," the woman suggested.

"And leave your post!? OH no no no! That'd look even more bad if no one was here to greet them in while I cook!" He slumped forward. "This is an utter disaster! What am I to do?"

You looked between the two of them before slowly holding up your hand. "Um...If you'd like, I'd like to help."

Immediately the chef snapped his head up and blinked at you. Before a suspicious look came over his face as he looked you over. "You, Young Lady? You would please help us deliver some food?"

You nodded. "I mean..Yeah. It looks like you guys are pretty.." You gave a glance at the empty place. "-busy at the moment and I'd like to help."

After looking you up and down a few more moments the chef sighed before shrugging. "Why not? I have nothing else to lose in this moment anyhow." He reached under a counter and beckoned you to come over to which you complied before placing a small take out box onto the counter. "Thank you. I truly appreciate it. Tell you what. If you manage to deliver all the take out orders then I'll prepare you my famous 'Lucky Egg' dish as thanks. How does that sound?"

You mouth watered just thinking about free food. This just might be your lucky day after all. You nodded with a smile and took the box from him. "Sure! Sounds fair enough. Where do I deliver this one?"

He paused for a moment...before he rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh uh. Well as for where to deliver the food.....Sorry. We've been so stressed out for the Chairman's visit I forgot to ask for an address." You stared at him. .....WHAT!? "B-But I heard a clickity clack sound from the phone when I took the first order. Maybe that's a clue as to where to go?"

..........You sighed. "Yeah..Don't worry about it. I'll figure it out somehow."

"That's the spirit! Come back as soon as you're done delivering that one! And hurry please. Oh! And here. Take this notepad with you. They'll have to sign off on it so I can send the bill."

You had no idea what you had gotten yourself into this time. With a groan you exited the restaurant and spotted a peculiar sight to behold. There was Gloria standing just outside the restaurant as you approuched with her back to you and you soon saw what she was staring at. A little ways from her standing in the middle of the road was HIM. Mareep Head-..Er. I mean Bede who looked bored and in front of him was....It was her. The same woman from your dream and the Opening Ceremony as well. And in front of her was...No. It COULDN'T be!! In front of them was a group of about six to eight people, but with that group was none other than the CHAIRMAN himself!!...Tho he looked a little different than the other times you've seen him. You didn't expect to see Nessa outside of her gym leader suit, but you hadn't been caught too much off guard. The chairman however was a different story. Instead of that professional slim fitting suit he wore a baseball cap, slip on white shoes, sunglasses, .....a sweater that showed how chubby he was actually under his suit, and blue shorts with white polka dots to top it all off. You could only star at the man...Was this-....This COULDN'T have been the same professional high standing man that ran the whole Galar Region! He looked like someone's Dad on a lazy day. ...You chuckled which startled Gloria into giving a yelp and whipping around to see you and the box you held.

"Holy Magikarp, Y/n! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"Sorry....Hey. What are you doing all the way over here? I thought you were having a battle today."

She sighed. "We got hungry just waiting for Nessa so Hop suggested I go grab us something while he holds our place. What are you doing?" She noticed the box you held and pointed at it. "And what's that?"

"Long story short is that I agreed to be the fill in delivery boy for a bit." You nodded past her towards the group. "Hey uh...Gloria, is that who I think it is?"

She turned around and with a huff she crossed her arms and frowned. "Yeah. The Cottonee so full of himself he needs a garden hose to wash the ego from his brain!"

".....Uh..Actually I was talking about the chairman over there, but I guess Bede's here too yes."

"Oh...Well yeah. It's weird just walking around the corner and seeing him right that. Like..what the bloody heck are those shorts?"

"Y'know I was thinking the same thing." You two continued to watch in bewilderment as the chairman smiled and spoke with the small group of people, before the woman suddenly stepped in front of him as he was about to shake another person's hand.

She held up a hand. "Our sincerest apologies," she spoke with a calm and professional tone, "The chairman is quite busy at the moment. Everyone please disperse. Please leave now."

The crowd murmered but eventually slowly parted ways, one woman saying. "Ok. See you later, Chairman."

"Oh h-hey! No need to rush off! I can still do autographs!," the chairman called after them raising a hand, "I'll even give you my pokemon league card!" To your surprise no one really paid attention and kept walking besides you and Gloria...And you rose a brow. With a sigh he turned back to the woman. "we need the support of our fans to keep doing what we're doing. Chasing them off like that. Aren't you being a little too harsh, Oleana?"

"Fans are very important of course," the woman, who must've been Oleana explained, "That's why you need to keep doing your work for their sake."

"I promise to do everything in my power to assist you too, Chairman!," Bede butted in proud of himself. Huh. Maybe Gloria had a point.

The chairman gave him a look for a moment before raising a brow. "Oh. And you were?"

Maybe it was just your imagination most likely, but you could've sworn you saw Bede frown for a moment before he answered, "Bede, Sir."

"AH! That's right! Bede! I daresay I'm impressed how fair you've come since I gave you that pokemon all those years ago. Will you be the one to win the Gym Challenge? Or perhaps it will be one of the Trainers endorsed by the Champion."

"I will prove your faith in me was well placed, Chairman," Bede assured, "I won't lose to anyone. Anyway speaking of which, I'll be on my way now." He turned and began walking away, but completely froze upon seeing you and Gloria..Well more Gloria than you as the two of them made eye contact...And he suddenly pointed. "YOU!?"

"Hey Mareep Head. How's your Hatenna?"

"WHY YOU-....YOU- ..LITTLE-"

"AH! You!" Bede practically jumped out of his skin as the chairman was quick to push past him and walk up to Gloria with a smile, Oleana right behind him. Gloria practically just stood and stared as he approuched and you rose an eye brow. "Your name was...." He thought for a moment before pointing to her. "Gloria right? We were just talking about you!" Your brow rose more. That was a complete and utter lie. They were standing right there entire time in front of you but you shrugged it off as an awkward ice breaker.

.....Gloria exchanged a look with you before pointing at herself. "....Me?"

he nodded. "Yes! I admit I'm curious about Leon's reasons for endorsing you. Ah! I just had a good idea, as I tend to do!" Brag much? "You're going to face Gym Leader Nessa soon, yes?"

"Um...Y-Yeah. I was on my way back to the stadium actually-"

"Well if you get a gym badge from her I'll hold a celebration! I'd like to get to know you a little better after all." He smiled and you felt ....odd about it all.

"Um..Y-Yeah..I guess so??"

"Chairman, we should really be going if you want to keep that dinner reservation," Oleana stated.

The chairman nodded to her before turning back to Gloria. "Alright. Please do your best, for the sake of Galar's future."

"I Uh...Y-YES SIR!!" Gloria gave her best smile under the situation.

With a smile and nod he turned and walked past her and you not sparing you a glance and you followed him with your gaze brow raised...You weren't sure, but you had a funny feeling about him and it wasn't a good funny. When you turned back around you nearly jumped the box in surprise. The woman-!! Oleana was standing right in front of Gloria so close her shadow was literally blocking the sunlight from her. The poor girl frozen under the woman's studying gaze.

"The Chairman will be heading to this town's seafood restaurant." She stated monotonely, "Win the gym badge and join him there at once. Do not keep him waiting. Am I clear, Young Lady?" Gloria didn't say anything..and you looked at her. Eyes shooting to the size of plates. She was more frozen than a glacier. ...All that came out of her was a small squeak noise making the woman's eyes narrow. "Perhaps I wasn't clear. Do not keep the chairman waiting. Head to the seafood restaurant. The Captain's Table. Do you need me to repeat myself once more, Child? Or do you understand-"

"Too skinny."

Gloria jumped having probably completely forgotten you were there for a moment as she snapped to you and Oleana followed her piercing gaze to meet your glare. ....She slowly blinked. "I beg your pardon, Miss?"

"I said you're too skinny for that," you explained as they both stared at her.

Her brow flicked up as she studied you. "And I happen to be too thin for what purpose, Ma'am?"

"Well you're certainly not fat enough to be throwing your weight around not to notice you're being a jerk," you explained raising a brow back, "Obviously she heard you with how close you are. Maybe she'd answer if you weren't so close making her feel uncomfortable like that."

They both stared at you stunned. Gloria jaw dropped and Oleana had the same face but her eyes much more widened as she stared at you. It was so quiet you could've heard a pin drop as you joined this little three way stare down. HECK. It felt like an entire hour just staring at her before her face slowly contorted back to her original bored/professional looking one and she took a step back, spooking Gloria in process as the poor girl blinked.

"Do you happen to know who I am, Miss?," she asked like you should already know this.

"Somebody who's heels makes them so tall their head's in the clouds obviously."

This time her brows furrowed, her mouth frowned, and you noticed the way her hands gripped each other. As if she was physically holding back her anger. But before she could reply a chuckle seemed to interrupt you. Blinking you turned around only to find that the Chairman guy was looking right at you. Raising a brow and humming. You rose a brow and frowned right back.

....He waved a hand off. "Oleana, you're right. We'll be late for that reservation. Give the young trainer my League card and let's be on our way."

It's amazing how fast her aura and face changed at a moment's dime. "Of course. So you will not forget the Chairman's face, I will give you one of his League Cards." She suddenly held something out to Gloria who blinked but after a moment took it. "Chairman Rose is the kind of man who gets downhearted if he doesn't take care of things he needs to right away. Go to the seafood restaurant as soon as possible so as to not keep the chairman waiting." She glanced back to you and your eyes narrowed more. "...Good luck in your battle." With that she stepped around Gloria who followed her as she went and so did you with your frown. And after the Chairman gave another look to you, also turned and walked away.

....You sighed and turned back to Gloria, only to blink when she was staring right back at you. "....Uh...H-Hey. Are you ok there? You looked spooked." Shaking. Your eyes widened noticing her hands shaking. "WHOA! Hey! Are you ok!? She didn't scare you too bad did she?"

"Y-Y-Y/n..," She stuttered. Her hands slowly clenched into fists. "T-T-That..was..." Her face snapped up to you in a smile. "AWESOME!! SERIOUSLY!! Like! Yeah she gave off major scare vibes I swear she's worse than a gengar in the darkest room! My heart was pounding so fast! Then you were all well slayin' 'ere like a beast!!...Omg." She looked down for a moment realization settling in. "....My traveling partner talked BACK to the Chairman's right hand!! What's he going to think when I show up!? I mean it was amazing to watch don't get me wrong. But STILL!!''

"Hey, hey, hey!!" You caught her attention by grabbing her shoulder making her blink at your face. "Hey. Look at me." Once you knew you had her full attention you smiled. "That woman was making you feel scared, and that's not ok. So I did what I had to do. If anything I'll get in trouble. Besides, Im a girl standing on the sidewalk holding a delivery box. They'd probably think I was just a stranger going to delivery a pizza or something. Right now you should just worry about your gym battle."

It was like a record scratch went off in her mind as she suddenly paused, face going blank for a moment before her hands suddenly snatched the top of her head. "AH!! MY GYM BATTLE!! I COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT THAT!! BUT THE CHAIRMAN SAID IF I WIN TO SEE HIM!! IF!! IF!! WHAT IF I DON'T WIN!? OMG!! CAN I STILL MEET WITH HIM IF I DON'T-"

You shook her with the hand still on her shoulder. "Gloria! Get a grip on yourself! Of course you're going to win!'' You smiled. "If you could beat Milo you can beat Nessa too! And if you lose it's fine. I'm sure he'll understand, you can't let all of that overthinking stop you ok? Be more confident in yourself, and if you lose..." You shrugged. "Then it's ok. You can always try again tomorrow or any other day. You are going to be ok....Ok?"

She stared at you for a long moment before taking a deep breath and sighing. A determined look now plastered on her face. "You're right! I'm just overthinking this! I just need to remain calm and everything's going to be fine!"

You smiled. "That's the spirit...Hey. Isn't it gonna start like..right now?"

"GAH! Y-You're right! I gotta go!" With a wave she quickly turned on her heel and ran off towards the stadium. "Thanks, Y/n! You're the best!"

You sighed before shaking your head watching her go. Well...glad that went well at least, she was a brave girl so she should be ok..But then why did you still feel eyes on you? As you turned your f/c eyes met purple ones and Bede jumped having noticed you spotted him. With a jerk of his head the other way, he quickly sped walked away from you in the opposite direction leaving you lightly confused. But you shrugged it off. Right now you had bigger fish to fry like getting this fish you were currently holding to the person who ordered it. Who ever it was. That was the thing you had to figure out as you stood there in the middle of the sidewalk staring at the box in your hands like someone staring off into space. Good gosh the guy couldn't think to ask for an address? What were you supposed to do with a click clack sound? That could mean anything....Well what kind of click clack sounds were loud enough to be heard over a phone. ....Your head turned towards the train station back towards the stadium. Didn't trains usually make a noise like that? A train would certainly be loud enough to hear over a phone. With a shrug you started off down towards the train station and right up to the first house right by it since there was two. Knocked and waited patiently as footsteps approuched.

The first one was answered by a middle aged looking man and you smiled. "Hey! Uh...Did you order seafood?"

"No. I don't like fish."

"Oh..Sorry about tha-" You flinched as the door was slammed back shut in front of your face..before you frowned. "Well he was pretty rude wasn't he?" Your sobble chirped in agreement. "Couldn't have said it better myself," you mumbled as you turned away from the door and away from the first house to go to the second. The Stadium not too far away roaring alive now with cheers. Must be Hop or Gloria having a battle with Nessa. Shame you couldn't attend but you were a bit busy right now. Walking up to the second home, you knocked on the door and waited. After a moment footsteps approuched and a sweet elderly woman answered. You smiled. "Hey! Good afternoon! Did someone here order some seafood?"

To your delight, she smiled. "Oh, are you the one delivering my food?" She happily reached out and took the box from you. "Thank you for your trouble! This restaurant's dishes are full of seafood and it's so delicious if I say so myself. They are pretty well known after all."

"Your welcome! ..Oh wait!" You reached into your pocket to quickly pull out your notebook. "I need you to-''

"Oh of course! Your tip. "

"Actually I-" You blinked when a small bag of what looked like small jaw breakers was placed into your hand tied off by a cute little red ribbon.

"I've already paid the restaurant over the phone, so I'll give you candy as a tip. There's nothing like sweets to go along with a beautiful day. You have a nice day now."

You blinked looking at the small bag. "Hey wait! I need you-" The door closed leaving you staring at it. "..to sign this. *sigh*" You held up the overly cute bag and your sobble gave it a curious look over. "Well, it's not money but it's better than nothing I guess. Wouldn't you say?"

Your trip back to the restaurant wasn't anything unusual, still faintly hearing the cheers from the gym on your way there. The only thing that was a little strange was a small group of three or four people standing outside the place trying to peep into the windows. Your brow rose but you shrugged it off and just stepped inside seeing the same woman as before.

"Sorry. We're closed at the mome-..OH! It's you young lady,'' she greeted.

"Back again?!" You looked over towards the chef and he smiled seeing you. "Excellent! I wanted to ask you to deliver some food again. Is that ok? I suspect that the package was delivered?"

....You held up the bag of candy. "Yeah. Sorry I couldn't get her to sign it. But she tipped me in candy."

"Oh. That must've been Mrs. Wesley. Don't worry about her, she has a habit of doing that." Again he reached under the counter and brought up another box. "But right now I need you to deliver this next one as soon as possible!'' You walked over and he held it out to you before slightly nodding over towards the right. You glanced over and your eyes widened seeing the chairman and Oleana looking out of the window over the stadium, not seeming to notice you thankfully. "Since the Chairman's here we're doing our best to try and not upset the atmosphere. Since you're taking care of this for us it's really taking one less thing off our shoulders to worry about."

You sighed with a smile before taking the second box from him. The fresh smell of fish and chips wafting from it making your mouth water. "Hey. It's no problem. Where do I take this one?"

He paused. "Well....I uh...Haha. D-Didn't quite get the address for this one either?" You stared. "...B-but I don't know if this helps, but I think I heard a pokemon cry over the phone this time. Like....Swiirl...Or something like that."

"....I'll...figure it out I'm sure."

Figure it out indeed! How in the HECK were you just supposed to deliver a dang food order based off a pokemon's cry?? Whelp! There was only one way to solve this! ...Visit all the houses here until you came across the right one. So that's exactly what you did. You already delivered to the lady up by the train station and the guy next to her rudely stated he didn't so that was two houses you could cross off your list. So there you went starting from one end of the long, LONG street of houses one after another smiling and asking if they ordered a take out. Every. Single. One. Said. No. Or just didn't answer at all, and to be honest you were feeling justifiably annoyed at this point. What was the POINT of having someone deliver food if you didn't know where to send them!? It must've taken you at least fifthteen minutes of walking and asking until you FINALLY caught a break coming to the very last house on the block before the road split off between the train station and stadium. You knocked and waited patiently as footsteps approuched, and you smiled when a blonde man who looked to be in his early thirties opened the door.

"Hey. Sorry to bother you, but did you order some seafood takeout?"

"Oh, I can smell the ocean. You're from the restaurant aren't you?" You nodded and held the box up to him as he took it with a hum. "Ah! I'm starving! I've been drooling while waiting for the food! Than you for delivering the food!"

"Oh hey. Before you go." You held up the notepad. "Could you please sign for this?"

"Oh sure thing. Wait right here." He turned and walked back inside leaving you standing there able to see the inside of the home as the man handed off the food to two little girls who looked so much alike that they must've been twins. A pink pokemon looking like cotton candy swirling around them. "Stacy, Lacy. Food's here. And this time don't let Pinkie eat my share of it." You stood there awkwardly until he finally came back grabbing the note pad. "Sorry about that. You know how kids can be."

"Heh. Yeah. Sorry if it took so long. Had to go the long way around to get here."

"Well you get energy from food. If you need energy you should eat balanced meals." He handed you back the notepad with a smile. "Thanks again!''

With a sigh you turned on your heel and began trudging off back towards the restaurant. Your stomach rumbled again and by this point you were seriously wondering if this was even worth any free food for? If you had half a mind you would've just quite, returned the notepad, and then just go back to the hotel to just eat some of your rations or order the cheapest thing on the room service menu. But then again, you already promised to help and free food does sound better than spending your remanding money. Plus their food was supposed to be really good. So..You made the choice to go back to the very cafe you came from and waltzed back through the doors and up to the counter this time. The chef seemed very pleased to have you back as he had already placed the last box on the counter he explained. Only one more? Oh THANK goodness. You weren't sure how much of this mumbo jumbo you could handle. You took the last box from him not sparing a glance over your shoulder in the chairman's way.

"As for the address-"

"Let me guess. You forgot?"

"Actually. No. I remembered to ask." Your eyes widened. Was this finally gonna be easy? "Unfortunately I have no idea where it is.".....WHAT?! "The customer told me to look for a green roof, but I wonder if there is such a house in Hulbury. I've certainly never seen a house like this before but Im sure you're smart enough to figure it out like the other two!"

".......Right."

Of course it wasn't going to be that easy. It never was going to be easy for you was it? It seemed simple enough tho. Just look for a house with a green roof and that should be it right? Except..none of the houses you had asked previously had ordered anything and the ones that did couldn't have possibly ordered a second time in such short notice right after getting the first. Oh well. Green roof. That's all you had to go on......and the amount of time you had spent walking up and down these streets looking for any building with a green roof was exhausting. NONE of the homes here had green roofs and when you checked the few buildings around here that weren't homes (like the light house and pokemon center-) discovered surprise, surprise. No green roof either. Oh you hoped whoever ordered this didn't live outside Hulbury. Not having any luck where you currently were, you decided to go ahead and go back down to the docks where you first went that morning. You didn't remember seeing any buildings there but it wouldn't hurt to cover all bases before giving up. Your body ended up wondering back to the market place you were once in...And you were about ready to give up. There wasn't anything around here with a green-

"HEY! Young Lady with the sobble on your shoulder!," a male voice shouted. Blinking, you turned around to one of the stalls. the one with the green and white top. A man with brown hair waved at you. "You're delivering food?" You nodded. "Well hey! I'm the one who ordered it!" He was!?...You glanced towards the striped roof of his stall.....Oh. A green roof. Whelp! Might as well get this over with. he smiled wider as you approuched. "You got here earlier than I expected! It was easy to spot the green roof wasn't it?"

No. Not really. In fact it would've been a LOT easier if he just said he was in a stall in this marketplace but instead you forced a smile and handed him the box and notepad. "Please sign here."

He gladly signed it. "The tail curry of this restaurant has a unique flavor. I love it! Say hi to the manager for me!"

You quickly grabbed the notebook. "Have a nice day!" And then you quickly retreated. A groan leaving your tired body as you dragged yourself back the way you came for a second time that day. By the time you had gotten back close to the restaurant you were sore, tired, but most of all you were hungry! OH! The food had better be worth it or else you were going straight back to the hotel to-

"Y/N!!" Hey. You knew that voice! Sure enough Gloria was waving her arm at you with a smile as you proceeded to walk towards her. Despite wanting time to yourself today you were absolutely glad to see her. "What are you doing by the docks?"

"Finishing my role as a replacement delivery boy," you answered when you got close enough and pointed at her white uniform. "Why are you still wearing your gym challenge uniform?"

"Oh uh.." She sheepishly smiled with a chuckle. "It's a long story. On the bright side I managed to defeat Nessa! LOOK!" A flash of bronze went in your face and you blinked before leaning back. A badge with some kind of blue water pattern shown before you. No doubt the water gum badge. "Feast yer eyes! I thought I was a gonna when I lost the second round, but I managed to pull a turn around and win enough rounds to pass! Ain't it great?!"

You smiled. "Hey! That is great! I'm so happy for you! But where's Hop? I thought he was with you."

"He stayed behind to set up his own battle with Nessa tomorrow. Don't worry. He already knows where I am. Said he'll meet back up with us when we're done having dinner with the Chairman."

"...We?"

"Oh.." She slowly lowered her had back down to her side. "I just...thought you'd be coming too since you were there with me when he invited me.I-...I just thought since y'know...B-But that's fine! I won't force ya to come with me. Yer probably tired from running around all day anyways."

You paused. Yes, you were tired but you were heading back inside the restaurant anyways. And if Oleana was there...You smiled. "Hey! I'd love to come!"

Her eyes lit up. "REALLY!?"

"Yeah. I gotta go in to let 'em know I'm done delivering all these confusing orders anyways." You turned and nodded towards the doors. "C'mon. Let's go eat and see what he wants. Ok?"

With a smile of relief she nodded and the two of you went up towards the doors and went inside. The woman from before was there and upon seeing the both of you greeted you both with a smile. "Welcome to the Hulbury Seafood Resturaunt. Unfortunately we're not accepting any reservations or walk ins today but if you'd like to schedule one for a later or order take out you're more than welcome-....Oh! It's you again, Young Lady."

"Uh. Yeah." You held out the notepad. "Actually I was promised free food if I delivered everything and we were both invited to eat with the Chairman over there."

"Oh." She glanced to Gloria who looked nervous, seeming to realize she was a trainer. "Yes. I recall he said something about an extra guest trainer with his party today. Chairman Rose comes here incognito, but the word always gets out when he's here." She grabbed the notepad from you. "You both may go ahead to the Captain's Table in the back. I'll notify the chef you completed your tasks."

With a thanks you both took off towards the back where you saw the Chairman, Oleana, and..HEY! It was Sonia. Relief flooding in seeing another familiar face. This might be more tolerable then...Maybe you should take this time to apologize? You glanced to Gloria who still looked nervous. If this was someone very high up and important it wouldn't hurt to swallow your pride and just apologize, if nothing else but to keep the peace and show you're willing to be the bigger person. After all you don't want to cause trouble. The first to notice you two was the chairman himself as he turned his head from Sonia to you two and smiled.

"Ah! If it isn't the young trainer I met earlier today," he greeted with a smile and raised brow, "If you're here then I suppose it's safe to say you won against Nessa?"

You didn't miss her gulp before forcing a smile. "Uh..Y-Yeah. Piece of cake!"

He nodded. "I'm so glad! Gloria, come. Let's celebrate your recent victory! On me!" ...You felt eyes on you and you turned from the Chairman's face to Oleana's who was staring right at you. ...You frowned back at her- "And I believe I've seen you before as well, Young Lady." You blinked back to the Chairman's face as he was looking at you too now with a raised brow. ...AH CRAP!! "You were the lady back there who gave my assistant quite a 'roasting' as the young kinds call it nowadays."

...You blinked. Forcing up a smile. Here we go. "Uh. hehe. Yeah. Actually I wanted to apologize to you.." You gave Oleana a glance. "-and her for that. I just thought things were getting a bit scary back there."

To your surprise he chuckled it off with a wave. "Not at all. In all honestly Oleana can be quite intimidating to others. It's one of the reasons she's so good at her job. But there's no hard feelings. Right Oleana?"

The woman next to him inhaled before breathing it back out. "Of course, Sir. Apologies accepted and all's forgiven."

"Excellent! I don't suppose you know Sonia here? She's a wonderful person to have on the research team."

"Yeah. We do actually. Hi, Sonia."

"Oh. Were you invited too?," she asked surprised.

Before you could reply the chairman interrupted you. "You two know each other? That's great! Come now." He gestured to the table directly behind him. "Please be seated." And the three of you followed him and did so after you and Gloria exchanged a glance. She still looked nervous. The order of which you sat was Gloria sat across from the Chairman, Sonia next to Gloria, and you next to the Chairman. Naturally you would've preferred to sit next to either one of the other girls but you weren't about to let Gloria sit right next to a guy you had a funny feeling over. Strangely enough Oleana didn't seem like she was eating with you four and instead opted to stand silently next to the Chairman. How odd. You watched as he oh so casually picked the napkin off his own plate. Hmm...Guess he's been here more than once. "Now that we're all together. Gloria was it? Tell us how did your battle go?"

She shrugged. "Oh. Um. I-It was pretty good. Very thrilling. It was really nice to get ta meet Nessa. She's very nice." Sonia smiled at her.

"That's all very good. If you're as talented as Leon mentioned you then you should have no problem defeating the other gym leaders."

"Well I wouldn't say that. I-It was really hard to beat her. She's a tough gym leader."

"Hey. What were you talking about with Sonia?," you asked successfully steering the topic off Gloria for the moment as the Chairman smiled.

"Oh nothing really worth talking about. How her trip was so far studying around with the legends and the Geoglph in Turffield. The theory is that the two are somehow connected but I digress. AH! Our food has arrived." You looked over to what he was gesturing at and perked up at the lady from before who greeted you carrying two plates. One obviously being some kind of fish as it was placed before the chairman who happily accepted. "Ah! My usual. You always remember." And you were surprised when the other plate was sat in front of you. It was curry, smelt sweet, and had an egg smack dab in the middle of it. "Oh. It looks like you're a regular here too I presume."

"The chef asked me to give you his 'Lucky Egg' dish as a token of his appreciation, Miss," she explained, "I hope you're ok with sweet boiled egg curry. Are the rest of you ready to order?"

"Go ahead ladies. It's on me today."

"Mm. Just a salad. I'm not very hungry today."

"...I mean. The tropical curry sounds good," Gloria guessed.

You were too busy studying the dish in front of you to notice the lady leave. Instead staring at the massive egg just sitting in the middle of the darn plate. ...You weren't up to eating something that might've been a pokemon egg no matter how much your stomach rumbled at the sight and your mouth watered at the smell. Luckily it seemed like you had a back up plan because your sobble was crawling down your arm already on his way towards your food. You extended your hand to allow the small pokemon to sit on the table next to you and without really thinking grabbed the egg off your plate and held it out to it. He smiled and happily accepted your gift with a loud chirp before grabbing it and you watched as it bit it nearly in half with one bite. Goodness. Guess you weren't the only one hungry.

"Hulbury is a seafood town. Naturally if one is going to eat here the obvious choice is the local cuisine," the chairman said already digging in, "Everything on the menu is delicious. Oh, Sonia. By the way how is Professor Magnolia getting on? I'm quite indebted to her you know. She was the one who figured out how to unleash the power of Wishing Stars and use that power to dynamax pokemon. We would never have been able to create dynamax bands without her."

Sonia sighed. "*sigh* She was saying that there's still so much we don't know about dynamaxing. It's causing her some worry. She even made me take a power spot detector with me when I started traveling."

"A power spot detector?," he asked interested, "That's the device that allowed me to discover power spots. Locations that emit galar particles and allow pokemon to dynamax. I don't like hearing that Professor Magnolia is worried though. If only there was something I could do." You glanced at him again out the corner of your eye and rose a brow. Why were you getting a weird feeling in your gut from this guy?

Sonia shrugged. "Unless you can suddenly provide more intel on the phenominon then I'm afraid there isn't much, Sir."

He hummed.".....Sonia. It may be good for you to visit the vault in Hammerlocke. I believe the key to unlocking the secrets of the dynamax phenomenon lies in the history preserved there."

Sonia blinked. "Oh. You really think so?"

"We usually study history based on what was left on it from the past. Although mostly legends at this point you know they always say that every legend has truth to it. Who knows? It might even help tie in with the lengend you've been studying currently. Oleana can arrange a meeting I'm sure. Can't you?"

"Understood, Sir," Oleana replied monotonly, "I will arrange a meeting with Ms. Sonia."

"Very good. See? Nothing to worry yourself over about. Now shall we dig in?"

The rest of that dinner get together was a blur. Honestly you were too busy stuffing your face to talk but you didn't mind. You only watched and listened to the small talk. Gloria and Sonia's food arrived a short while after and by this point they were mostly done eating as well. His other questions didn't seem too out of the ordinary. Asking how their day was? How they were enjoying the challenge so far? Talking about some of his recent appointments involving some kind of arrangement with a Prince from the Pasio Region?? You weren't sure. But the sun was starting to set soon.

"So then I figured the best way to solve the matter was to set up individual warnings for the two of them and move one to a different department under Oleana. *sigh* Both are hard workers so it'd be a shame to just fire one or both. Don't you agree Oleana?"

"Yes, Sir. However I believe it is about time we get going, Chairman."

"Hm?" He looked at her. "But I've hardly had a chance to speak with Gloria." You rose a brow. You had literally been sitting her an entire hour.

"With all do respect, Sir. It's getting rather late. I'm sure the young lady is quite tired from her day."

...He sighed. "It's regrettable but I guess it can't be helped. If something needs to get done there's no time like the present after all!" He slowly stood from his seat as the three of you watched and smiled. "Truly though I'm glad to have had a chance to speak with you ladies today. So sorry if we couldn't have spent more time together. In any case I bid you farewell."

"OH! Uh..G-Good bye, M-Mr. Chairman. Sir."

You remained silent as the two left. Narrowed eyes watching as they went...Something about those two just felt...Off. Like it didn't sit right in your gut, but you had no idea why? Was there some kind of plot in the game with those two you couldn't remember?...Hm. In any case you were glad they were gone now so you and Gloria could rela- Your head perked up with at a sigh as Sonia rubbed her face.

"Hey. You good there?"

"Does he think he's doing me a favor? He's right that the vault would be a good place to look for the legends but..." She paused suddenly looking up and noticing the two of you staring at her confused. "UH!...Nevermind! You got the water badge right? Defeating Nessa is no easy feat!"

"Uh..Yeah. What are-"

"Nessa's a good friend! Perhaps I should drop in on her!," her chair screeched as she stood up all of a sudden giving a nervous smile, "Ahaha! Yes! She'll be so happy to see me! Until next time, Gym Challenger! Nice seeing you again, Y/n!"

Both of you stared as Sonia quickly sped walked away from you two and then out of the restaurant as if she was escaping something...

Gloria blinked. "What the world just happened?"

"Believe me I have learnt in this point of my life to just go with things. C'mon. It's free food. Let's finish eating and meet the others back at the hotel."

[fvrxdrm]

City of the Living Dead

Chapter 6

"September 28, 2:30 am... It's down to just me and 3 others. No weapons...no ammo...and too many skirmishes have drained us mentally and physically. We're not gonna make it... Officer Phillips once suggested we escape through the sewers. Apparently, there's a secret tunnel under this place left over from its museum days. I brushed her idea off before, but now, it's not sounding all that bad. Yeah, there's no proof there's even a tunnel or that the sewers aren't infested with zombies, but I don't wanna sit here and wait to die, either. It's a long shot, but I'm gonna try to find out what I can about that tunnel... Elliot Edward," you read, "Shit. Rest in peace, buddy." You placed the transcript back to where you found it and proceeded in scanning the room you and Leon were in.

It was an office of some sort with mahogany desks occupying the center, swivel chairs pointing towards every direction, some paperworks piled in a stack and some (or rather most) cluttered all over the tables and floor. It looked like a hurricane together with an earthquake and a tsunami clashed and crashed in the area.

"Leon, w-" your head twisted and turned as you looked for best friend and even called out to him when you found him just staring at something on the ceiling, his trembling lips pinned in between pearly-white teeth, eyebrows furrowed upwards, and eyes looking like a dam was about to breakdown because of too much pressure. You went towards where he was standing and followed his gaze. You gasped. He was looking at stringed triangle banners with letters printed out on each of them

WEL COME LEON

Your face began to mirror Leon's but a pained smile differentiated yours from his as a sudden rush of memory enlightened your brain. "Hey, look, the design's the same as the banner I surprised you with when we were 15," you said, raising an arm to point at the triangular flags.

Leon chuckled softly at what you said and nodded while a sneaky tear flowed down his cheek in a tiny stream. "Yeah."

"Come on, Leon! I worked hard for this." You hauled on your friend's wrist and led him towards his room with a strain as Leon's languor held him back.

"This better be good, Y/N. You fucking woke me up and I'm really close to fucking strangling you." His voice was a little hoarse from having just woken up right before you pulled him off of the couch and he was still lowkey tired because of the three-hour rest he had last night, but as much as he wanted to throw you out of his house and fall into a well-deserved slumber again, he was into surprises and was curious as to what you had in store. So, he went along with it even though he was pretty much a sloth still.

"I promise you'll love it." You chortled.

Leon sighed in defeat before loosening up and letting you pull him towards where you wanted to take him for this so-called surprise with a rub of his crusty eyes.

When a familiar door came into view in front of you, you covered Leon's eyes with one of your hands and twisted the door knob, revealing a bedroom with a banner hovering over Leon's messy bed, before lightly pushing him inside.

"All right, here we are," you spoke as you removed your hand from your face, moving right beside him to watch Leon's face as it shifted from being enraptured to crestfallen real quick. You guffawed in a boisterous way at his reaction and plummeted down to the ground whilst clutching your stomach in a joyful pain.

YOU SUCK LEON

"Really, Y/N? This-this is what you wanted to show me?"

"It's true though, you actually suck!"

"Come on, you know you only won in Street Fighter because I let you," he whined. You stood up from being laid on the floor before clutching onto Leon's shoulder for dear life.

"For 20 times? Really?" You laughed again, "nah, you just suck, bro."

Leon narrowed his eyes at you with lips pressing tightly in a thin line and turned towards you, his feet moving slowly in tandem as he approach you with a spurious anger, his hands closing into fists.

"What?" You asked with a nervous chuckle and feet backing up in rhythm with his laggard advances.

"You think I suck?" His voice imitated a dark tone. Had you not been slightly scared - which you hated to admit - you would've busted a gut at how ridiculous it sounded.

"I mean, yeah, it's already said in the banner, dimwitt."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Hell yeah!"

"Well, let's see who sucks now!"

Welp, that's my cue!

You dodged Leon's attack by the skin of your teeth, stumbling on a stupid pencil for a bit, before proceeding to run around the house to avoid Leon's "spider fingers" as you call it and making a tiny bit of a mess. However, your luck has gone away and he eventually caught you when you accidentally tripped over the leg of a chair, throwing you into his bed and tickling each spot that would make you squirm and and laugh.

"I still suck, huh?"

"N-no, fine...y-you don't...s-suck," you cried in between heavy breaths and hysterics. Satisfied with your remark, Leon stopped his fingers from moving and plopped down beside you, taking a moment to catch his breath before he pulled you closer to his body and spooned you. "You still couldn't win yesterday though."

"Yeah, well, I know a million ways to win your heart though."

"Fuck off, Le-le." Leon tsked at the nickname.

"Y/N, that sounds awful as fuck."

"Whatever." You felt his lashes kiss the nape of your neck as he closed his eyes to give them another four hours of rest, your own following afterwards when you heard Leon's muffled voice vibrate against your shirt.

"Hey, you wanna be my date for homecoming?"

"I thought you already asked Lexee to be your date."

"Dante already asked her out, so..."

"Okay, fine, I'll be your date." You squeezed his hand before intertwining your fingers with his and smiling when you felt him kiss your hair.

"Thanks, Y/N. Good night."

"It's 10 in the morning, dumba-"

"Shh... Rock-a-bye baby..."

"You do suck though." You light-heartedly nudged Leon's side and wrinkled your eyes in a grin, chuckling when he returned the gesture with a titter.

"I really don't," he retorted back.

"Sure." You took his hand in yours and gently squeezed it in a comforting way to ease the two of you before placing a feather's kiss on the back of it. "Come on, we still have a job to do."

*****

Leon S. Kennedy, we're putting you on a very special case for your first assignment. Your mission is...to unlock your desk! The key to your success is in the initials of our first names. Input the letters in order of our desks. There are 2 locks- 1 on each side of your desk. Make sure you get them both. Basically, your first task is to remember your fellow officers' names, but you figured that much out, right? Good luck, Leon. By the way, it might take a little work to get Scott to give you a straight answer.

Lieutenant Branagh

Scrawled in a corner between drops of blood on the paper was an additional note the lieutenant had written while he and his fellow officers were isolated and trapped, and it read:

Be glad you're not here, rookie.

"Remember your fellow officers' names..."

"I think that means the initials of my supposedly co-workers' names should be the password to open these locks on my desk." Leon stood up from where he was knelt down on the floor and casted around from desk to desk, unlocking the padlocks on his table and claiming the prize after accomplishing his "first assignment" - a magazine for his beloved Matilda.

You smiled when Leon pulled out the gun he's had since the beginning of his adult years, another retention reminding you of the peaceful days you once had before you started walking right into confusion.

Matilda was a gift Leon's father had given him on his 18th birthday, a few months before he died of cancer. He was happy about it, and knowing how his family had supported his decision on him becoming a cop, his heart fluttered inside and he couldn't be more grateful about it. Leon held onto it everyday, even becoming a bit hesitant about leaving it behind whenever he went to school. And when his father passed away because of said illness, he grasped onto the weapon the same way he did when his dad was still alive, if not more.

"Happy birthday, Leon. Happy birthday, Leon. Happy birthday, happy birthday... Happy birthday, Leon... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEON!"

Leon's cheeks stretched in an almost painful way as everyone erupted into cheers and confetti fell from the ceiling. Each person was wearing cone-shaped hats and the living room was decorated with different ornaments colored in his favorite hues. His family was there and so were his friends, and oh, how could he almost forget...

It was his 18th birthday!

"So, what do you think?" You spoke from behind him. He turned around to see you smiling like an idiot and tugging on the string of a party you picked up from the floor.

"This," he began. "This is amazing! Wh-"

"Well, son, the candle's almost melting. Wanna make a wish?" Leon's dad emerged from behind the small crowd with a three-layered cake balanced on top of his palms. The icing of the pastry was blue, edible police-related finishing touches garnished it with such perfection he almost didn't want to eat it for the sake of admiring and staring at the cake, and a single candle formed into the number 18 as an emphasis to his recent age was placed on top with a tiny flame dancing around in the air. Leon closed his eyes and wished for the best before blowing the candle, watching as the fire disappeared into a swirling smoke. Everyone rejoiced once again.

When voices had began dying down one by one, Leon's father called his name and picked up a box from underneath the table after placing the cake down where it wouldn't fall down.

"Leon, you're going to be attending the police academy soon and in the next few years you'll be the cop you always wanted. So, as a gift, I give you this gun." He opened the rectangular cardboard box where a gun laid and presented it to his child, Leon's eyes sparkling in delight at his very own weapon. "I know you'll be taking good care of Matilda."

"Matilda?" Leon asked in confusion.

"You know, like, Mathilda from Leon: The Professional," his dad replied. Leon chuckled in response before he carefully took the gun out of its container, still a bit iffy about touching it.

"I'll be taking good care of this, dad."

"I know you will."

"You still have that gun?" You spoke as you gestured towards his firearm.

"Yep, she still looks good as new. I didn't want to break my promise," Leon responded. He turned his gun around to show you just how much he kept it safe like a mother would to a child. Your E/C orbs twinkled in admiration, a feeling in your heart you had kept for a very long time flittering in a joyous manner for the first time since you last saw him.

"Nothing's really changed, huh?"

"I don't want to change anything for now...especially now that you're back here with me."

*****

So, I found this image on google and an idea suddenly popped into my head lmao.

Anyway, WE'RE BACK! I was busy in school blah blah blah. I think yall know that already.

[stillchaoticlogic]

Dreaming

Leon x Reader

Summary: You’ve fallen into a world that you’ve only ever dreamed of. You may have also met the man of your dreams...

Wait... Are you dreaming?

A Bad Day

Today was a bad day. 

You woke up late and ended up rushing around to get ready. Your shower was cold. When you tried to put the lid on your coffee it was too full and it ended up popping out of the spout and erupting like a volcano all over the counter and yourself. You forgot your breakfast, but it’s too late to turn back. You are late to work and you got yelled at by your boss. You were blamed for a mistake you didn’t even make. What makes today even worse is you know there is no one waiting at home for you. You’ve been pretty lonely lately and your singledom has made cold nights and lonely meals the norm. You don’t hate your life, but having someone to come home to would make days like today more bearable. When it’s finally time for you to go home you rush from the office. Once in your car you head off down the road and not a mile or two down the road… it happened… you ran out of gas. 

Sitting behind the wheel of your car you just gaze out the window and heave the biggest sigh of your life. 

“Of course…” you groan as you forcefully open the door and step out. You slam the door and lock it knowing that the nearest gas station isn’t too far, but still. You didn’t have time for this before and you certainly don’t have for this now. With a groan, you head off down the road hoping against hope you can make it home soon. 

You are too busy typing in the location of the nearest gas station to notice the puddle on the ground and the sudden sensation of falling takes you by complete surprise. Your yelp of surprise turns into a screech of fear as you are plummeting through the sky and towards the earth. At this point not only are you scared shitless but you are confused as hell. The confusion is quickly overridden by sheer panic as you realize you’re going to die. 

A moment later you land haphazardly on the back of some creature and coast to the ground all while holding on for dear life. Your eyes are wide in shock and you just gaze at the large orange lizard… no… not lizard… dragon in front of you. Then you scream.

The dragon thing backs up and makes gestures to try to calm you down all while looking around. You turn around in your panic and begin to run only to hit a hard chest. You grasp onto the man in your terror and turn to face the creature behind you.

“It’s a dragon!!”

“Oh… Charizard isn’t a dragon… He’s a fire type!” You gaze up at him in bewilderment.

“Char-izard?” you ask in bewilderment, “Like... the pokemon?”

He furrows his brow, “Of course, like the pokemon…Are you okay?”

“I think I hit my head… I need to sit down,” the male panics as you drop to the ground and begin to breathe rapidly.  

“Ok… just take it easy there…”

“I don’t know where I am…”

“Look it’s going to be okay… We’re going to figure this out together.”

“I want to go home…” you say panic and tears filling your eyes.

You don’t have to worry about your panic attack for too long, because you promptly pass out. 

The world around you is blurry as you blink yourself back into existence. It takes a moment but your vision finally clears. Gazing around you notice a sterile white room and that you are lying on the most uncomfortable bed you’ve laid on. 

“Oh good! You’re awake!” Your head whips around and you notice the man with long purple hair? Also, why is everything technicolored? It’s brighter… Why are you technicolored? Oh dear…

“Are you sure?” you ask as you turn your attention outwards. 

“Yes?” he questions with a laugh. He’s a jolly fellow, isn’t he?

“My head is pounding…”

“Well, you did take quite a fall. I don’t know where you were falling from though…” he says as he scratches his head in confusion, “No matter! The doctor said you don’t have a concussion. She should be in here to check on you soon!”

Almost as if his words summoned her, the doctor walks into the room briskly and begins to exam you. She asks many questions, none of which you know how to answer, and those that you do know how to answer, you simply lie. You know the truth would most likely end with you in the psych ward. 

“You should go home and rest! Nothing really seems to be wrong with you, perhaps a mild form of amnesia, but your memories should come back with time. Mostly like stress moreso than injury. 

You just nod dumbly at her hoping that you can leave soon, even if you don’t have anywhere to go. 

Once discharged from the hospital you take your things and notice for the first time Pokemon nestled in the backpack that isn’t yours but is apparently yours. Your surprised when you find a Pokedex along with many other items one would have on their journey. 

“You seem to be on a journey! Do you have a place to stay tonight?”

“Oh… I’m sure I can afford a room somewhere…” you murmur as look at the amount in ‘your’ account.

“Is there anyone you can stay with?”

“I don’t know anyone here…”

“I don’t mean to be presumptions, but perhaps you should stay with me tonight? I would feel better knowing that you have someone with you.”

You gaze up at the man before you, “You… don’t even...know me....”

He shrugs, “That doesn’t mean that I can’t help you.”

What crazy world have you landed in?

“Umm… well…”

“Oh! I guess that sounds odd coming from someone you don’t know, do you? I’m Leon, Galar’s Unbeatable Champion!”

“You’re the champion?”

“Yes!”

“Oh… Well…” you ponder your options before you pull out your phone and begin to look up Champion Leon. Sure enough, a picture of the man before you floods your screen. 

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt…”

It’s not like you have anywhere else to stay and having someone with connections around could be good. 

“Great! We will head to mine then! Do we need to stop for anything on the way?”

“Umm…” you dig around your bag to find a change of clothes and some basics, “no I should have everything I need for tonight. I only have one outfit though I should probably get more clothes tomorrow…”

“We will go shopping tomorrow!”

“Oh no! You don’t have to!”

“Of course I do! Plus I want to!”

“Oh… Umm… okay…?”

You’re surprised when you get to Leon’s place. It’s just outside of the city of Hammerlocke with a spacious yard and cottage-like feel. You weren’t expecting something so homey. 

“Here we are! Home sweet home!”

“It’s beautiful…” you murmur as you gaze around the exterior. 

“It’s a little big for just me, but I really liked the land when I bought it. Plenty of room for my larger pokemon to roam around.”

“Makes sense,” you murmur as you follow him into the spacious home. 

The inside feels very staged, more like an interior decorator designed the place. 

“It’s beautiful,” you say as you look around. 

“It’s stiff,” He says with a laugh, “I didn’t have the time to decorate so I paid someone to do it… It’s not really my style but it’ll do for now.”

“What is your style?”

“Something warmer.”

You give him a soft smile, “I can see that…” 

He smiles back happily, “Well make yourself at home! The guest room is upstairs to the left and you’re welcome to anything in the kitchen!”

“Do you mind if I check on my pokemon? I don’t…”

“Don’t?”

“I don’t remember them…”

He gets quiet for a moment, almost as if understanding the gravity of the situation. 

“I’ll go with you,” he says with finality leading you out into the yard.

You heave a sigh as you release your first Pokemon, it’s a fire rabbit! A David Beckam bunny if you will. He rushes up to you and wraps you in a hug his face nuzzling against yours. You laugh as you hug him back.

“It’s okay buddy… I’m okay,” he pulls away and gazes up at you with large worried eyes and stays by your side. 

The next out is a large gothic-looking bird. Well, Edgar Allen Poe would have a field day with this raven rapping at his chamber door. The large bird lands before and greets you by leaning its head towards your own. You pet his feathers and he coos happily at you. 

“I know…” you say softly, “but everything’s okay now…” 

You don’t know how you know how they are feeling, but instinctively you do. 

Next out is a cotton candy unicorn that gallops up to you and rests her head on your shoulder. You stroke her neck and she quietly whinnies at you. 

Your eyes widen as a giant white moth pops out of the next Pokeball. She alights on your shoulder and begins to use her antenna to make sure you are okay. You giggle at the contact and she stops but remains balanced on your shoulder. 

“I’m fine! I promise.”

Next is a large lizard-like creature that seems to want to be the next Jimmy Hendrix lumbers towards you and wraps himself around you making the moth alight into the air in annoyance. He ends up resting his head on your shoulder happily. 

The final pokemon you release is a Drakloak. You blink at the ghostly airplane like pokemon in confusion, but he doesn’t seem to care. He rushes over to you happily and nuzzles his snout against your hand. 

“That’s a good team! And they seem to love you!” 

You glance over at Leon and nod happily. You spend a little time playing with them and feeding them. 

“How about we grab something to eat? They can hang out in the yard with my team. I’m sure everyone will get along just fine!”

You bid them good night and you aren’t really surprised when your Cinderace refuses to leave your side. 

“He can come in, I’m sure he’s worried about you.”

“Thank you…” you murmur as the bunny like Pokémon follows you into the house. 

You take your things upstairs and marvel at how large the house is. The guest room is pretty generic, with a bed, side table, and dresser. The colors are all neutrals and while it isn’t very cozy it’s a guest room what do you expect? You are pleased to discover an en suite bathroom though.

When you return downstairs Leon is cooking some pasta and greets you when you arrive. 

“Hope you like Pasta!”

You just nod happily and watch while he heats the sauce and boils the noodles. You giggle as he pulls out a pair of potholders that look like a Charizard head. He sends you a dazzling smile before he plates the food and sets it in front of you. 

You happily dig into the dish and compliment him, thanking him for taking care of you.

“So do you remember where you are from?”

You feel a full stop in your head as you try to remember any details about where you are from, or at least any details about where you could be from. You blink for a moment as you stare off into space. 

“Umm… it’s fuzzy… but Unova sounds… familiar…”

“Ahh! That must be where you are from!”

It’s not. He doesn’t need to know that though.

“Yes… it must be.”

“I bet Scorbunny was your first pokemon, he seems really attached to you.”

Images of a small white bunny pop into your mind. You recall the small pokemon jumping up to give you a fist bump or running around your feet as you walked down a path. A path you’ve never walked down, but it feels so familiar. You remember he would ride on your shoulder and play with your hair, mussing it whenever he felt mischevious. 

“He was… his name is Dash.”

The bunny-like pokemon perks up at his name as he thrills happily at you. 

“Next came Titan the Rookidee…” you murmur as images of a tiny bird flitted across your mind. He would ride on your head and anytime that Dash got jealous he would peck at the stubborn bunny. You remember having to comfort him when he became too big to ride your shoulders anymore. That’s odd… how do you remember that?

“A Toxel… Nirve… he’s next…he evolved into a low key Toxtricity…” He’s such a big baby, even to this day his favorite place is curled next to you when you are relaxing at night.

“Flossy came next… she was a Ponyta when we met. She loved to run around the camps, challenging everyone to a race. Dash always liked racing with her.” 

“You’re remembering…”

“It’s faint… but its there…”

You are a little scared since there is no way these are your memories, and yet they are so familiar. Like wrapping yourself up in a blanket on a cold night. You know these belong to you…

“Who was next?”

“Gyspy… She was just a Snom when I found her. She loved to sleep and would always sneak away for a nap when we would be training.”

“Your Drakloak is last?”

“He was a Dreepy. He got lost in the Wild Area, he wasn’t supposed to be there but there was a huge storm the night before. I think he got blown into the area I was in. He was so small and so scared… He happily joined me and ended up hanging onto Nirve a lot… His name is Dart…”

Leon chuckled, “Were you trying to collect the gym badges?”

“I think so…” you mutter in confusion.

“Do you have any badges?”

“I’ll have to check my bag, I haven’t really looked…”

“Things seem to be triggering your memories, we can take a look later if you want. You should probably rest though, it’s been a long day for you.”

“A very long day…” 

“You’re right… I think I’m going to head up to bed.” 

“Good night!”

“Good night!”

You head up to bed and Dash follows along behind you. When finally are settled in Dash is curled up at your side on top of the sheets. You can feel his heat radiating off of his body as he sprawls himself out after drifting off to sleep. Despite how tired you are your mind is racing. How can it not be? You have memories that aren’t yours and that scares you. You finally calm your racing mind down enough to convince yourself to fall asleep. 

You wake up the next morning to the smell of breakfast. When you head downstairs Leon is setting a plate of eggs on the table and looks up when you come down. 

“How do you take your coffee?”

“Oh? Umm… cream.”

“How are you feeling this morning?” he asks as he walks over to you with a cup. 

You take it with a smile and quietly thank him. 

“I’ve got some work to do this morning, but I figured we could go out to lunch then get you some clothes?”

“You don’t have to worry about me… You’ve done more than enough to help me!”

“Well, I don’t like the thought of you out on your own while you’re trying to remember everything. Please stay with me until you get your memories back.”

“I don’t want to burden you…”

“Burden me? I live in a huge house all by myself having some company that isn’t trying to use me or battle me will be nice.”

You frown at his words, “Use you?”

“You would be surprised at the agendas everyone is always pushing… Last night was nice. Actually, I had more fun spending time with you and our pokemon than I have in a long time.”’

“You’re just saying that so I won’t leave yet…”

“No! Really, it was nice! I would love it if you would stay a little bit longer.”

“Fine… but I leave when I get things figured out okay?”

“Okay,” doesn’t fight you, but you can see a little twinkle in his eye.

“You look like you’re up to something…” you say suspiciously. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about! I just want a lovely lady to come home to every once in a while… I don’t know what’s so suspicious about that.”

“Oh… Like you would have a problem finding a girlfriend.”

“It’s… not as easy as you would think…It gets lonely around here sometimes,” he scratches his head nervously. 

You give a soft smile, “It must be hard to be so famous.”

He shrugs, “It comes with the territory… Oh! I have to go! I’ll come back and pick you up around noon!”

You wave goodbye as he rushes out of the door. You feel yourself relax as you lean against the doorway and sip your coffee. 

‘Someone to come home to huh?’ you can’t help but think that you wouldn’t mind the exact same thing.

Notes: Welcome to my mini-series with Leon! I haven’t decided precisely how long this is going to be... I’ll let you know... Please as always let me know your thoughts! I love reading what you guys have to say about my work! Expect the next chapter of Stumbling soon! Can you believe we’re already on chapter 8! 

[sp00kworm]

Salt or Vinegar? (Raihan x Reader)

ARCHIVE OF OUR OWN LINK

Pairing: Raihan x Gender Neutral Reader 

Warnings and Tags: None. Fluff. Soft. Established Relationship. 

A/N: Just a cute oneshot for myself. There’s a serious lack of Raihan content so I made some for myself before I die of thirst. 

---

Hammerlocke Gym was a place where the best trainers fought for the right to take part in the spectacular event which was the finals. Fighting the gym leaders again was always a surprise for most of the challengers. Raihan was running late. Proudly, and boldly, he’d proclaimed the battle against the ‘snot nosed pompous brat’ wouldn’t take him long to beat. You giggled as you sat outside, taking in the sunset from the bridge to the Gym, smiling at the last of the warmth from the summer’s day as you listened to the roaring of Duraludon inside the stadium. The ground rumbled and you peered upwards to see Duraludon’s steel spire appear in the open top of the stadium. It looked like the ‘snot nosed brat’ was giving Raihan a bit of a run for his money. Duraludon roared inside the stadium and you could imagine the look on the giant gym leader’s face inside the sandstorm. He would definitely be over excited, hands up in a mocking dragon pose before he got far too into shouting moves for his partner Pokemon. Humming, you listened to the thunder of G-max steel spikes erupting from the ground before the head of Duraludon disappeared and the roof closed over with a shudder. Maybe the brat wasn’t as much of a problem as you predicted? Sunglasses in place, you looked back at the sunshine and settled to wait for Raihan to come out of his gym.

 The doors to the main building opened an hour later, Raihan hanging his arms by his side, dragging himself along the path towards you. He’d taken a shower to wash the sand from his hair and body, and you smiled at his fresh jacket and clean shorts. He’d left the headband in his room in the gym for tomorrow, drying on the rack in the corner with his uniform. The dragon tamer yawned, stretching his arms over his head as he plodded over the bridge. You pushed your sunglasses on top of your head as he approached and laughed as he groaned, draping himself over your back against the fencing, arms over your shoulders and face pressed against your own as he pouted.

“I’m so tired, babe.” He whined against your shoulder, blowing air in a raspberry against the skin before you pushed his head back teasingly, “Babe.” Raihan whined again, lips pressed into a pout as he wrapped his arms around your waist, fingers playing with the front of your top as he sighed again.

“Come on Raihan, you’re heavy.” You laughed at him as he moved back enough to give you some breathing room.

 Raihan smiled before hugging you tight, “I missed you.” He whined again with another tight squeeze.

With a wheeze you replied, “I missed you too, you dork.”

“Good.” Cheekily, Raihan laughed and lifted you up, arms wrapped around you still, holding you close as he yawned again.

“So,” You settled back against him, looking at the sun setting over the horizon, “Did the ‘snotty nosed pompous brat’ give you a run for your money?” You asked with a mischievous look in your eyes, “Or was the Dynamax just to put salt into his little, rich wounds.”

Raihan groaned before putting your feet back on the floor, turning his head, before he pulled his dark hair back into its bobble, “Brat gave me a run for my money.” He confessed with a sneer, “But, no one with that attitude is going to beat me. Only the best trainers get to challenge Leon. I’ll make sure of that.” He grumbled, his mood sour.

“Okay, Mister Knight.” You cooed, reaching up, standing on your tiptoes, to squash his cheeks gently before placing a kiss on each one.

Raihan pouted when you pulled away, “Not even a kiss on the lips from the knight’s spouse?” He whined like a kid before stealing one anyway with a pleased hum.

 The sound of stomachs gurgling cut the both of you off.

 “Damn. I am starving’.” Raihan grinned before holding out his hand for you to take, “That battle got me so hyped up!” He cheered before you both moved along the pavement, strolling past the Pokemon Centre hand in hand, Raihan swinging your arms as you headed towards the Café and the take outs nearby.

“Fish and chips?” You asked with a smile, “Its that family shop from Hulberry.”

Raihan nodded, the thought of food making him hungrier, drool pooling in his mouth, “Oh, please.” He whined, “We have to get some Pokemon portions too.” He squeezed your hand, “I think the lads would enjoy some.”

“You have to pay for their giant appetites then!” You announced with a grin as Raihan nodded and pushed open the door for the two of you. The friers bubbled in the background as you looked at the menu and ordered two special boxes and Raihan asked for several portions for his team. You laughed as the lady made them up, both your arms full of food as you struggled outside and towards the seating area by the wall to let Raihan’s team out for their food. Your own partner trembled in your bag and you sighed before letting out Deino. The dark dragon launched himself at your ankles, headbutting you before sniffing and realising you were yourself.

 “Come on little buddy!” Raihan cheered before laying Deino’s portion of berries and fried food mixes on the floor by Duraludon. The steel dragon grumbled, setting Deino between his legs, sheltering him from the others as they all got stuck into their food.

Yawning, Raihan dragged you to his side, both your food clutched in his hand as he tucked you up against his side, cyan eyes crinkled with happiness before he gave you your box, “I love you.” He cooed as you opened your box.

With a chuckle you replied, taking your fork from him, “I love you too.” You kissed his cheek as you peered out at the Wilds, the Pokemon calling over the fields as you both snuggled together.

Just as you were relaxing a packet of salt and a packet of vinegar were pushed into your gaze, pinched between Raihan’s thumb and finger.

“Salt and, or vinegar?” He asked with a smile.

“Dork.” You snatched a salt packet from him and snuggled back against his side.

[theatrelove3000]

No Place Like Home

Hello, Friends! My brain is fried so there is no introduction like there normally is. I honestly doubt anyone reads them anyway. Whatever. ONWARD!

Background: Noelle and Loki were “Bound” by a witch in Alfheim after a battle they fought in. This means that the witch split each of their souls in half and one half switched places. Noelle has half of Loki’s soul and vice versa. They can feel each other's emotions and hear each other's thoughts. Noelle is also Half Asgardian, half Midgardian. Her father is Tyr and her mother is of Midgard. Loki enchanted her wedding ring so that she can be immortal with him.

Summary: Noelle is kidnapped by Hydra while on a mission in Europe and help captive in an unknown base somewhere in the country. Loki needs to find her before the worst can happen.

Warnings: Kidnapping, swearing, suggestions of attempted rape, creepy Hydra guys being gross, slight angst with a fluffy end.

No Place Like Home

Noelle PoV:

Well.

I am not sure how to describe my situation in any other way than this: I'm fucked.

It was supposed to be a routine mission. We were supposed to be in and out, no big deal. That is no longer the case.

Nope. The current situation is much more dire than such things as "routine" and "easy in-and-out". The situation is now me, gagged, bound, and surrounded by the darkness of the van that the Hydra agents had thrown me into. So I repeat. I am fucked. But then again...

So are they.

If there is one thing I know, it's the power my husband holds within himself. A power that does nothing but grow, especially when I am in danger.

They have created a cuff to cut off my magic and tied my hands behind me so I couldn't use my knives or gun. It's not ideal but I've been through worse. The only thing I'm afraid of now is who will control these men from putting their hands on me. I can't defend myself with my hands tied and magic quelled.

I soon get my answer as the van comes to a stop. I'm hauled out by the two guys who sat in the back with me. They seem to be expecting me to kick and scream, thinking they will have to drag or even carry me into the concrete structure we are about to enter. They are wrong. I keep my emotions in check. I stay cool and collected and let them walk me to the elevator.

The bigger of the two men, who I have decided looks like a Chuck, jabs his finger into the button of the floor number we need to get to. -5. Noted.

When the elevator doors open again, I am faced with a small grey room with a metal chair in the middle, a small cot in the right hand corner of the far wall, and one small light that dangles from the ceiling.

Chuck and his buddy Frankie sit me in the chair and take the gag out of my mouth. The first thing I do is make eye contact with Frankie and give him a small smile. He is clearly unsettled by my calmness and looks extremely guarded as he unties my hands and cuffs me to the chair. I let them do their job and nod my head at Chuck, who looks equally unnerved by me. Yay!

They both walk backwards to the elevator and keep their eyes on me until the doors shut once again. I keep my smile on until they are gone. Now that they left and my eyes have adjusted to the dim room, I can scope it out.

There must be hidden cameras. I can get a general sense of where based on the discolouration of the concrete. They were recently installed. This is a new base. We may not have record of it yet.

Shit. Okay, plan B. If I let the wall between Loki and myself down, he could follow the pull and find me. But that could take days. I hope that by the Fates that the tracker we have installed into our suits is still working.

I'm still thinking through my game plan when the doors open again. I look up to see a very... boring? I think that's a good word, yes. A boring man walks through the door.

"Lady Noelle." I hear the accented voice say. I unintentionally tense up. He addressed me as "Lady Noelle." No one calls me that except the Asgardians and they haven't called me "Lady" anything since my marriage to their Prince. They say "Princess" now. This man isn't of Asgard.

"Oh, not to worry, my dear Lady. You are... well, I cannot say safe but you will not be harmed if you cooperate." He walks into the light, circling me. I relax my body, with some effort, and try to appear calm.

"Forgive me, sir, but you seem to know my name, yet I don't know yours."

He chuckles. "You think me a fool?" He asks, stopping his pacing in front of me. I can see it relatively well. He looks like the basic Hydra douche in the stupid uniform and such things, but there is something about his eyes. I can't understand it but it's more frightening than I let on.

"I am not going to just give you information on myself. I suppose you think I am going to just surrender my plan to you as well?" He steps forward, resting his hands on the cuffs holding mine to the chair, and leaning in a bit.

I force a calm smile and tilt my head slightly. "Of course not. That would be ridiculous. Though, you did just tell me you are a head officer in this joint, if not the mastermind. I'll know your name sooner or later. I'd prefer sooner if you don't mind." I cock an eyebrow at him. "Build a rapport and all that jazz?"

He chuckles again and stands straight. "It appears you would be right. My men will call my name eventually and then you will know. My name is Leon Becker. I am, in fact, the leader of this base and this mission. And you, my dear, are my guest." He smiles coldly.

"Do you normally strap your guests to chairs?"

"If they are Avengers, yes."

"Ah. So you are afraid I will hurt you. Okay, no big. I totally understand." I nod in faux agreement. "Makes sense to keep a woman with no weapons and stripped of her powers locked up."

"I am not stupid, woman." He growls at me. "Your reverse psychology will not work on me. You were trained in Asgard as a warrior and then in the Avengers compound by super soldiers and highly trained assassins. I know you can beat me. You have otherworldly strength that you received from your father: an Asgardian." He begins pacing around me again.

My smile falters for a moment. How does he know about Tyr? I regain my composure. "So you know of my parentage. Well done! You did your homework." I snip sarcastically.

He smirks at me as he passes. "Your mother died of Osteosarcoma. Bone cancer. That's sad. What's it been now, three years? You laid beside her and sang to her until her last breath. Such a devoted daughter." He shakes his head. "Well, maybe not so devoted. You saw her, what, four times in the three years you lived in Asgard at that point?" I feel my throat start to close up. Momma. I do my best to hold it together. "Aw, my apologies, Lady Noelle. Did my talking of your mother upset you? Oh dear." Leon tsks. As he walks to the elevator, he says over his shoulder. "I suppose we can start in the morning. Rest well, Lady Darkness."

The doors shut behind him. As they do, the cuffs holding me to my chair release me. I take a deep breath. I will not cry. I refuse to give him the satisfaction. Making my way over to the cot, I rub my wrists absentmindedly as I break down the wall between Loki and myself.

'NOELLE!' He shouts into my mind. I wince. 'Where are you? Are you hurt? I will kill them. Do you have a location?'

'Loki, honey. I'm very tired. One question at a time.'

I feel him take a deep breath. 'Are you injured in any way? Have they touched you?'

'No to both questions. I'm not hurt and most of them are frightened of me.'

He smiles at that but it quickly falls. 'What's your location?'

'I don't know. I was in the back of a van, it was dark.'

I feel his emotions shift from anger to distress. 'I can use our... What did you call it? The link that helps us find each other?'

'Built in GPS. And you can try but I think it will be too far. We were driving for a while.'

He scowls, 'I meant what I said. When I find you, I will slaughter them all. They put their hands on my wife. I will be sure to put every last one in their graves.'

'I love you for that but really, please focus on finding me and getting me home.'

'You cannot teleport. I can't get you here either. I've been trying for hours. Why is that?'

'Well, they are getting smarter. They have found a way to create a cuff that cuts off my magic. The only reason we can communicate is because we are bound. They must not know about that.'

There is silence for a moment. 'What do they know?' He asks in a small voice.

I sigh. 'Too much.'

He nods but doesn't press the matter. He knows I will tell him eventually.

~~~~~Le Time Skip cuz I'm lazy~~~~~

I have no idea what time it is or how long I've been here. I only sleep in intervals and I'm not even sure how long they are. They can't be very long. I'm exhausted.

'You sleep in one hour intervals about 4 times a day.' I sigh. He isn't sleeping. 'Can you blame me, Noelle? You are in captivity and I do not know where you are. I am working on finding you and I will not rest until I do so.'

'I love you for it but you can't keep doing this. You're going to burn yourself out.'

'You are not the first to mention that.' He grumbles. 'Thor is saying the same. Agent Romanoff as well.'

'They're right. Listen to them. I'm alright. She is pretty smart so you should listen.'

He laughs, 'She? Only she?'

I smile, 'Thor thinks with his heart. He is thinking of you because he loves you and wants to keep you safe. Natasha thinks with her brain. She needs you to keep your wits about you and she is right.'

'I-' he is interrupted by the elevator doors opening. Frankie and Chuck step through. One is holding a tray of food, like every day, and the other holds a case file. That's new. So are the looks on their faces.

Damn it.

'I love you.' I whisper in my mind. 'Please forgive me.' Before he can respond, I put up the wall in our minds. He can't hear or feel me now.

"Breakfast for you, Lady Darkness."

I smile and say, "Thank you, Chuck." I sit up and take the tray.

"Again, that is not my name."

"Yeah, well, that's what I'm gonna call you.  You realize that my best friend is the greatest nickname maker of all time?"

Chuck scowls and Frankie crosses his arms.

"You should really hold your tongue. You cannot beat us both at once without your powers." Frankie tells me. He runs his fingertips over my knee. I immediately jerk away from him. He laughs. It's a sickening laugh. I've always been outspoken and strong about things like that but he is right. I couldn't stop them both.

"The loud-mouthed Princess is speechless. Probably for the better. I would be afraid if I was such a small girl as well."

I feel a burst of heat pass through me. Whether it was bravery or stupidity, I let it control me. "Wait a minute, Frankie. You're telling me you're not a girl? Wow. Could have had me fooled."

His face turns red. "You little bitch." He growls menacingly.

"You know, I was actually pretty proud of you for a minute. A female soldier protecting a... what did you call me? 'Loud-mouth princess'? Pretty cool. But know that I know you're a guy, meh."

"Shut your mouth." Snaps Chuck before turning to his little buddy, "She is trying to provoke you. We can take her easily. Don't do anything stupid."

"You too! You think you're big tough men? You follow a coward who hides behind his pride. You do his bidding like dogs." I stand up and start summoning my strength. "That's what you are. Not men. Not women. Dogs. You are disposable and worthless to him. You mean no more to him than a-" WHACK.

Frankie slaps me hard across the face. I stumble back and hit the chair. As I stand and start towards him, the doors open and Leon stands there with another few guards. They grab hold of me and strap me to the chair again as Frankie and Chuck board the elevator.

"That was unwise, Lady Noelle." Leon says calmly. I blink away the tears that pooled from the sting.

"Never said I was wise." I mutter. I take a deep breath and straighten my back, crossing my ankles. "It was a sudden moment of weakness you will not have the pleasure of witnessing again." I raise my chin, remembering what Loki showed me when we sat on the throne while Thor was away.

"Your bravery never ceases to amaze me, my dear. The beauty and power you possess to be strapped to a pathetic chair and still sit as though it is a throne is truly remarkable."

"I learned from a king."

This comment shakes him for a moment. He walks towards me and leans his face closer to mine. "Those fools do not deserve such a pleasure you could provide." He breathes me in. I suppress a shudder.

"And you think you do? Interesting."

"I deserve better than an alien's whore," he snarls before standing straight. "But I would settle for you."

I feel my lungs grow tight. "Not to worry, Lady Noelle. I will not touch you until your husband is dead."

I laugh, though there is no humour in it. "You will be waiting for a very long time, I'm afraid. Loki is immortal."

"Ah, but that is not true, is it? They can be killed." Leon cocks an eyebrow.

"Well if that is your master plan, I suggest you pray to whatever God you believe in, Mr. Becker. My husband is not easy to kill."

~~~~~Le Time Skip II~~~~~

The next day, Leon decides that it is a splendid idea to have dinner with me. He makes idle conversation, I make an occasional sarcastic remark. He proves that the food wasn't poisoned by eating off of my plate himself. Even then I don't eat much.

"So, Lady Noelle. You grew up in New York, yes?"

I simply smile knowingly. He already knows.

"And your husband attacked New York in 2012?"

Another smile.

"It makes me wonder whether you agreed with those actions. Very curious." He puts a bite of salmon in his mouth.

"Not that I need to explain it to you, Mr. Becker, but if you must know, I was not in on Loki's attack on New York. At the time, he and I were not in contact. And for the record, he was brainwashed and being controlled by an evil being." I take a bite of rice, watching his reaction. "We later destroyed the being that tortured him for two whole years. Loki tore him limb from limb." I say casually.

He seems shocked (yay) but does his best to compose himself. "Your husband's past is very dark. And his cruelty is shocking."

"Hmm." I hum absently, "Well, I'm sorry you feel that way. Though I should tell you to prepare yourself because what he did to Thanos is nothing compared to what he will do to you."

Leon's eyes grow wide. He takes a breath and pushes a button. He stands as Frankie and Chuck come in and move the table and the chair Leon was in away. As the three if them walk back towards the elevator, I decide to take a small parting shot.

"A normal man can do the impossible to save the woman he loves, Leon." I call to his retreating form. "My husband is no ordinary man." Before the elevator doors close, I say, "He is a God."

I feel Loki laughing in my mind.

'Good show, darling.' He says.

'Thank you, thank you. Have you found me yet?'

'Just a bit longer, love. I will find you. We will find you soon.' I nod as I lay on my cot.

'I love you.' I tell him.

'I love you more.' He replies.

'I love you most.' I say as I shut my eyes, willing my body to sleep.

~~~~~Le Time Skip III~~~~~

I am awoken by banging and screams coming from above me. And then I feel it.

Loki is here.

I sit up and try to speak to him in my mind. He doesn't respond quickly and I can feel his adrenaline coursing through him in the fight.

After a few minutes, I hear him calling me.

"LEVEL -5! LOKI!"

Its not long before he finds me and wraps me up tight. "I've got you." He says. "I've found her." He says, louder this time, and not to me. He is telling the team.

"You are practically frozen, my dove." He says, kissing my forehead. I nuzzle my way deeper into his chest. He takes off his thick, green cape and tugs it around my shoulders. He kisses my head again before taking my hand in his and leading the way back to the stupid elevator.

"Loki." I whisper once we are in.

"Noelle?" He responds. I hold out the wrist the anti-magic cuff is on. He takes the hint and takes it off. Immediately after, I feel a surge of power running through my body. The sensation is so strong that I almost crumble. Loki catches me and holds me up. We reach the top floor soon after that where a helicarrier is waiting for us.

Loki gets me settled in my seat before trying to leave again, presumably to kill every Hydra agent in sight. I take his hand quickly and tug him back to me. He looks at me questioningly and kisses my knuckles.

"Please, don't leave me. Let the others get to Leon."

He clearly doesn't like it but agrees to stay. "Do you have an earpiece? I want to talk to Tony."

He hesitates for a moment before standing up to go get me an earpiece. He hands it to me when he returns and I stick it in my ear quickly.

"Tony." I say.

"Good to have you back, Elle. You alright?" Tony says, cool as ever.

"I'm alright. Listen, the leader's name is Leon Becker. He has the most decorated uniform, well-kept brown hair, a lame ass mustache that looks exactly how you imagine it will, and dark dark brown eyes. Keep him alive. We should question him."

I hear Tony sigh. He agrees but he doesn't want to. Neither does Loki, as I gather from the growl. "Fine. I'll find him and put him in the cargo hold with Nat and Clint."

"Cool. I'm going to rest a bit. And Tony? Thank you. For saving me I mean. Thank you to everyone."

"We got you, Elle. Now go cuddle your man." I hear Nat's voice and smile. I take out the earpiece and put it aside.

"Cuddles?" Loki asks, opening his arms. I need no further invitation. I climb into his lap and bury my face in his neck. I breathe him in and, for the first time in days, let my body feel. I start to cry, not because I'm sad or hurt, but because I'm safe. And happy to be where I am.

My home is in the lap of the love of my life, his arms around me and mine around him, my face buried in his neck. And there's no place like home.

@thelokiimaginechronicles @just-the-hiddles @is-it-madness @frostbitten-written @poetic-fiasco @myoxisbroken @myraiswack @lehuka123 @head-over-heart

[mamawolfblood]

Love is a double edge sword

Chapter 3

When we make it to the train station I see Leon again. "Oh Leon is your brother?" I asked putting two and two together.

"Yeah he is! Wait if your not from here how do you know Lee?" Hop asked confused and the other kid Gloria I think was her name now looked at me.

"At the train station we ran into each other. Her Flygon was acting like it was protecting a baby Trapinch. It was honestly cute. It also showed the closeness they have." Leon said taking my hand before kissing it. His eyes looking looking into mine.

It was an intense feeling it was like I was prey to him. "Lee come on don't scare her. Mom is expecting us let go." Withe a sigh he followed after his brother leaving Gloria and me to chace after them. Once we made it back to Hop's Leon started talking.

He tossed three pokeballs and three pokemon appeared. Grookie,Sobble,and scorbunny they were the starters. Gloria went with Grookie the cut monkey fist bumps her.  Hop picked Sobble who gave him a high five. That left me with Scorbunny. It looked up at me so I knelt down.

I held out my hand to it giving it the choice to come with me or not. "It up to you buddy. Don't want to force you into traveling with me."  It jumped hugging me nuzzling my shoulder. I hold it getting on my feet.

"Looks like your coming with me buddy." I said tossing it in the air making it laugh and squeal when I caught it. "Well looks like I don't have to worry about you out there." I turned and saw my mother walking with Gin her Blaziken. Gin runs up and hugs me crying.

"It's ok Gin I will stop by and visit." I said patting his back. "Iris I also want you to have this. Your father got it when you were born." She handed me necklace with a green gem attached to it. "I think this is green amberite. They are said to be good luck.

Are you sure dad got it for me?" I was a bit skeptical on the whole thing. "Your father wasn't always a jerk. He was a kind trainer and man ,but that night during a black storm it all changed. He was struck by a black lightning bolt and he just flipped the switch. One thing never changed his love for you and your brother. The both of you are his world and he would do anything for you. I was the one that told him to leave.

He didn't want to thats why he left Zephyr. He never wanted you to forget him. Him doing that lets me know the man I love...He is still in there." She said whipping away tears. I didn't know that but pokemon have abilities to cause reactions. I kinda feel bad for the hate I gave him.

Hop and Gloria's mom came up and invited us to a cook out. The food was amazing but it felt weird the way Leon was watching me. I hope I did nothing wrong or upset him.

[carlotta-the-nerd-winters]

Rough Diamond - Chapter Three: Into The Unknown Team

A Week Later…

Postwick…

Something she had discovered about Blaze after spending their first night together—he was a snuggle monster. He made a beeline for her bed and buried himself under her quilt and blankets. The fire-type seemed content to sleep by her side and Gloria had to admit, it was nice having a warm plushie-like figure to sleep with at night.

Second thing she discovered about her newest partner—he was insanely fast. Even without the use of Quick Attack, Blaze had some fast feet. Something she was more than happy to have in battle. But chasing after him had been another thing entirely. He’d zip away when she’d tried to get him back into his ball. Eventually, she just gave up after her father told her that out of the three he gave to Leon, Blaze despised his pokeball.

But she had spent the week training and getting to know Blaze a little better. Most of the time, she had been out in the Wild Area and would return home in the afternoon. Charlie and Sonia had uploaded the Pokedex app onto hers and Hop’s phones. Both of their families had gifted them camping supplies and one of those never-ending space bags that were popular in Kanto. All that was left for them was to grab their Dynamax bands from Professor Magnolia.

“Gloria! You’ll be late for the train if you don’t head off now,” she heard her mother shout from downstairs.

“I’m coming!” she shouted back, fixing her black ripped jeans. Glancing one last time in the mirror, she combed her hair back and tied it up into a small ponytail. Maybe I should let it grow out more…

“Gloria Elizabeth Aegis!”

The brunette groaned, grabbing her brown backpack and left her room. Running downstairs, she found Hop waiting in the foyer with her mother and Victor who had Blaze snuggled in his arms.

“Honestly, what could be taking you so long to get dressed? You’re participating in the Gym Challenge. Not Love Islands,” Kathleen clucked her tongue as Blaze jumped out of Victor’s arms and onto her shoulder. “I’ve phoned ahead to the professor to let her know you’re on your way.”

“Thanks Kathy,” Hop smiled, hands in his pockets.

“Call us when you’ve arrived at Motostoke. Be safe you two,” Kathleen told them, looking between the two teens. Victor hugged his little sister before messing with her hair.

“Piss off,” she swiped at him, fixing her hair immediately as he laughed.

“Just have fun you guys. And know I’m betting on you two to take down Lee,” Victor said as Hop beamed. Checking the time on her watch, Kathleen ushered them out of the house.

“We better get going. I can’t wait to get my band,” Hop told her as they walked down the front steps of Gloria’s place. A few Wooloo cried in the distance as the morning sun shone down.

Out of habit, Gloria glanced at the fence that blocked off the Slumbering Weald and found it thrown open. “Hop,” she tugged at his sleeve, pointing it out.

His eyes widened. “Crap. There was a Wooloo there earlier tackling it. I didn’t think it’d actually bust through,” he said and she stared at him.

“You didn’t think a Pokémon using a physical attack move could break down an old wooden fence?” she asked sarcastically, shaking her head at him and headed in.

“What are you doing?” he asked, grabbing her wrist.

“Going to get the Wooloo out of there.”

“But it’s off-limits. Nobody’s supposed to go in there,” he reminded her. “Remember when the professor’s granddaughter went in once, and she came back in a real state.”

Gloria frowned. “Yeah but I went in there too and came back fine,” she pointed out, shaking off his grip and taking her wrist back. “Look, I’m going in there with or without you,” she said, marching on.

Hop groaned and ran after her, glaring at her smile. “This doesn’t mean you’re right. This is just the kind of scene where you simply have to do what’s needed!”

“Whatever you say, Hop,” she responded, letting Rookie out of his ball when the fog began rolling in. “Remember this place buddy?”

“Corvi,” Rookie chirped, looking around.

“There’s a Wooloo that’s gone missing. Take to the skies and see if you can find him from above,” she instructed as he nodded, taking off. He flew through the trees disappearing from their sight. “Stick close. It’s only fog from here on out.”

“Right,” he murmured, standing closer to Gloria as they began walking through. Blaze was staring at the forest in awe. “That Wooloo…where do you think it got off to?”

“Not sure,” she admitted, taking in the surrounding area. The sounds of many different Pokémon cries, singing their tunes. Barely any sunlight managed to break through the thick leaves on the dozens of trees. The air was cool, a slight breeze running through and stirring up the leaves on the ground. The forest hadn’t changed since she was a child.

I wonder if that large Pokémon is still here, she wondered, coming across the small pond. “Careful to not slip,” she told Hop as she jumped on the small stone and got across.

“You seem at home in here,” Hop noted as they continued on, walking across the old, stone bridge. Covered in vines, leaves and moss…it had been here for a long time.

“Yeah,” she agreed, smiling a little. “It’s…it’s hard to explain but there’s just something that calls to me in here. And don’t you think it’s fascinating that time just stands still in here?”

He stared at her as she stood still, gazing softly at the dark forest. “Like there’s someone waiting for you in here,” he said, and she whirled around, beaming at him.

“Exactly. I knew you’d get it,” she said and Hop chuckled, lightly elbowing her in the side.

“I still think you’re barmy,” he winked and grabbed her wrist. “We better keep going or else that Wooloo might be in real trouble.”

She followed as they jogged further in. Just as she remembered from her childhood, the deeper they went in, the denser the fog became. Hope kept a hold on her wrist and eventually moved to her hand in order for them to not lose each other.

“This is mad!” Hope swore, squinting his eyes as they slowed to a walk. “I can’t even see my own hand in front of my face.”

“It gets worse the further we go in.”

“I think I get now why this place is off-limits,” he muttered as a large figure appeared in the fog. Hop flinched at the sight of the large, scarred dog-like Pokémon while Gloria beamed.

“It’s you again,” she smiled as its yellow eyes focused on her again. “Thank you for helping Rookie and I out that time.”

It growled low as she held a hand outwards. It stared at the hand for a moment before sniffing it. It’s ears, which had been previously close to its head were standing up straight.

“We need your help again. A Wooloo has gone missing around here,” Ria continued as it pulled back. It howled, the loud sound forcing the teens to cover their ears and more fog was released, covering the area.

“Ria!” Hop called out. “I can’t see anything. You okay?”

“I’m…I’m fine.” She answered, feeling a little weak in the knees and exhaustion washed over her. Her eyelids felt heavy and she struggled to keep them open any longer. It was if the fog itself was sucking all of the energy out of her body. “Hop…”

He called her name again as she collapsed onto the ground, darkness taking her.

We have waited for you, children of Alastair and Sander.

When she came to, Hop’s golden gaze was staring at her and his brows were furrowed. Behind him were the large, dark trees of the Slumbering Weald. Something warm was on her chest and she looked down, finding Blaze on her with his little paws gripping her grey cardigan.

“Ria, thank Arceus you’re awake,” Hop sighed, holding her tighter in his arms. She soon wiggled out of his arms and rose to her feet, holding the shaking Blaze in her arms. He must’ve been frightened by what happened.

“What happened?” she asked as she put her fingers to her lips, whistling for Rookie to return to her.

“I’m not sure, mate.” Hop admitted. “I was clonked out like you and woke up here. Heard Blaze here crying and saw you unconscious,” he shook his head, staring at her. “Gave me a real fright. Did this happen last time?”

Ria shook her head as she heard Rookie’s cry ring out across the forest. She whistled once more, hearing him draw closer—along with Leon.

“Wha—? Lee?” Hop exclaimed as his older brother broke through some thick bushes along with Rookie. Ria’s Pokémon landed in front of her as Leon checked on the pair. “How’d you manage to find your way here? You’re pants with directions. You always get lost.”

Leon shot him a glare. “Oh, that’s nice to hear from the little brother who had me worried sick,” he snapped at him before pointing his head at Rookie. “I’d been waiting for ages for you two and when you never showed up, I went to Ria’s place. Rookie found me and brought me to you guys.”

Ria crouched down, stroking her partner’s head. “Thanks for getting help,” she said as he nudged her hand.

“Where’s the Wooloo? We were trying to rescue that Wooloo.”

“The little chap’s fine by the entrance. Charizard is with him,” Leon answered, crossing his arms over his chest. “But you two know this place is off-bounds. However, it took courage to come in here all the same. And I can understand well enough why you did it.”

Hop rubbed the back of his neck, smiling. “At least that Wooloo’s all right.”

“Come on you two, let’s get out of this place. You’ll be all right now that I’m here with you,” Leon said, walking ahead. The two soon followed and Ria noticed Hop sticking close to her side.

“You okay?’ she asked him quietly and he nodded.

“Yeah. Just shaking off the shock,” he reassured her with a smile. “Even if we did get an earful from Lee, what an experience. This’ll make a pretty fine first page in the tale of my legend.”

oOo

A Few Hours Later…

After a flock of Wooloo halted their train ride to Motostoke, the teens were walking through the smaller Wild Area outside the great city. Eventually Hop parted ways to have one last training session before the opening ceremony tomorrow. They promised to meet up at the stadium so they could sign up together—something the darker teen made her swear by.

As she was walking along the Axel Lake, Rommie flew out of her pocket with Teddy’s ringtone playing. “Teddy’s requesting a video call.”

“Put him through,” she instructed, coming to a stop. Blaze jumped out of her arms, choosing to run around the area. “Stick close by where I can see you.”

“Bun!” Blaze answered back, disappearing into the bushes.

“Sounds like you’ve got your hands full already,” Teddy chuckled as his image flicked onto the small phone screen. He was the spitting image of their father—the same black hair and the Sycamore grey eyes—but he had a large scar across his left eye from a Pyroar a few years ago. Teddy jokes that it’s the only way people could tell him and their father apart. “I wanted to wish you luck on your journey. Sorry I couldn’t be there to see you off.”

Ria shrugged her shoulders. “It’s fine. People in Almia just don’t get how big the Gym Challenge is. They don’t even have a league there.”

“Aye but all the same, I’ve missed out on a family reunion. Have you got a game plan?”

“I picked up a Scorbunny. Both my fire and flying types will be at an advantage against Milo. I just need to get my hands on either an electric or a grass-type for Nessa’s gym. I’ll be able to find a water-type in Hulbury somewhere for Kabu’s gym.”

“Good. Make sure to follow through on your plan. I’ve got my TV set up to record all of yours and Hop’s matches. Tell him good luck for me next time you see him.”

“I will,” she promised as Blaze’s cried out. Frowning, she, and Rookie rushed over to where her smaller Pokémon just as a small explosion erupted. Dirt and dust flew into the air and Ria coughed a few times, swiping it away. “Blaze? Are you okay?”

“Bun, bun,” the small Pokémon confirmed as she discovered a small, lighter coloured Budew shivering behind him. Blaze was protecting it from his stance, and she glanced to where he was glaring. A couple of Nickit were on the ground, clearly injured and growling at Blaze.

They were attacking this Budew. Or at the very least antagonising it, she realised, running over, and picking up the Budew in her arms. “Rookie, use Air Slash to clear them away,” she ordered as he sprung into action. Using his large wings, he sent gusts of razor-sharp air pockets to whip them away. Only one hung onto the ground and sprinted towards Blaze once the air died down. “Blaze, use Quick Attack.”

Blaze disappeared for a split second before reappearing and knocking into the last Nickit. The collision sent the dark-type flying through the air and landing on the ground, completely knocked out. Seeing the enemy defeated, the fire-type spun around to flash them a wide grin.

“Good job bud,” Gloria complimented and knelt down to gently place the Budew onto the ground. A flash of light caught everyone’s attention and it turned out the source was none other than Blaze himself. Having seen an evolution in progress plenty of times at her father’s day care, the brunette watched in fascination. His body began to grow in height and width, his ears getting longer and flopping down. When the light disappeared, Blaze had finished his evolution and was staring at his paws in fascination.

“You got him to evolve already?” Teddy’s voice interrupted her stare, alerting her to the fact that he was still on the phone. “That was too quick. What kind of training regime have you been doing with him?”

“The same one as Rookie’s,” she answered, eyes flicking over to the floating Rotom phone. “Rommie, scan Blaze and bring up his Pokedex entry.”

“Okie dokie,” she chirped, quickly scanning Blaze’s form and brought the information up on the screen.

Raboot, the Rabbit Pokémon and the evolved form of Scorbunny. It’s thick and fluffy fur protects it from the cold and enables it to use hotter fire moves. It kicks berries right off the branches of trees and then juggles them with its feet, practicing its footwork.

“Congrats on evolving, Blaze,” she smiled as he checked on the Budew. Seeing how he checked for injuries had Gloria smiling widely. She also couldn’t help but stare at the different coloured Budew. It’s outer layer was a brighter green and the little bits of petal on its front was purple instead of the usual darker green. It took her a moment to realise that the Budew in front of her was an infamous ‘shiny’ Pokémon. Gloria had planned on obtaining a Pokémon for Nessa’s gym and the Budew line tended to have higher special attack stats. “Hey Budew,” Gloria caught its attention and smiled. “How would you like to come with us?”

Budew glanced at Blaze who gave her a nod. Encouraged, Budew walked closer to the teen and lightly tapped its head against the outstretched Pokeball. After disappearing and a few tense seconds later, Gloria had added a Budew to her team.

A quick scan on her Pokedex showed that this Budew was a female and had the ability of natural cure. An ability that would no doubt come in handy during the Gym Challenge.

Gloria released the Budew and pondered over a name. Not wanting for Victor to make fun of her again, she moved away from the obvious choice of Rose. Finally, after musing over a few choices, she smiled at her new Pokémon. “How does the name Pollen sound?”

“Budew,” she chimed happily as Rommie registered the name.

“Welcome to the team, Pollen.”

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Songs: Into The Unknown by Panic! At The Disco and Team by Tova. Both songs have been added to the Spotify playlist for this fic. Each time I'm writing up a chapter, I add the songs I'm listening to when writing said chapter so think of it as a preview. If you wanna check it out, it's called the Rough Diamond Playlist. 

Thanks to everyone who's kudos and a special shout out to a_human_called_aoife for your lovely comment! Honestly had me smiling while reading it and I hope you continue to enjoy this fic. More comments are appreciated! Seriously, they make writers post work quicker. 

Also, this chapter took a while as I've just moved into my new house and getting a new job.