#op has an eating disorder and supports recovery. we're getting better. together. I promise.

[jumpingjoltiks]

Heyy. Could I get Emmet x someone who struggles with body image/ed and feels inscure. Especially since he's so tall and lanky.

Emmet x Reader

Emmet is grabbing your hand and holding tight all through recovery.

TW: Discussions of eating disorders and body image, minor food talk, insecurity and self-doubt, archeops being so adorable its actually hazardous

don't worry, I promise there's a happy ending <3

At first, he looks at you incredulously when you admit that his physique sometimes makes you feel inadequate.

"I am Emmet. You are not Emmet. You look like yourself and not me. You being you is a good thing. It is the best thing I could ask for!"

He loves you so much, he genuinely does not understand. All he wants is for you to see yourself the way he sees you. An incredible, wonderful partner.

But insecurities aren't rational. He knows that, and he does his best to help you anyway.

He's very encouraging toward your health and getting better. He wants you to be your best and happiest self!

Joins you for meals as often as his schedule will allow. He's not especially chatty by nature, but he’ll talk to you about his battles that day or the recent gossip among the subway workers.

Emmet is actually quite an adventurous eater. He loves trying new things and will always offer some to you (it’s a zero-pressure offer, of course. He would never push you to do something you don’t want to do, but he wants you to know it’s always on the table). Even if you just try a little, he smiles like you've offered him the whole world.

Emmet celebrates every victory with you, even the ones you think aren't that big of a deal. He's your biggest cheerleader.

Talks you up all the time - he is SO proud to have you as a partner.

There's a really nice farmer's market in Anville Town that he likes walking. He'll spend the day with you strolling between different booths, pointing out the arrangements at the flower seller or the kids running about with bubble wands and pinwheels, or just how nice it is to spend time together.

Makes it a point to arrange dates that don’t revolve around food at all – like visiting museums, riding roller coasters at the carnival, or heading out to catch new pokémon!

Reminds you that getting better isn’t always a linear progression. His positive attitude is contagious. He goes out of his way to make you feel better when you feel down.

Still, your days aren't always sunny. It's a serious disorder, and sometimes you feel like your ed gets in the way of living fully, but Emmet's always got your back...

It's during one of your dates that you find yourself quite downhearted. Emmet had taken you out for a nice walk through the park. When he offered to pay for an iced coffee, all you could think about were the numbers rapidly calculating through your head. Calories. Sugars. Carbs. As much as you want to stop, it's hard to pull yourself back to the present moment.

You could feel Emmet's gaze on you.

“A black coffee sounds nice, but maybe a little later?”

Some of the sparkle leaves his eyes. It's like he can see right through you.

He squeezes your hand in acknowledgment. You both are quiet for a little while as you walk. You're too wrapped up in feeling like you've ruined a perfectly nice moment to notice how deep in thought he's become.

"Have you met my ace yet?"

The question arrives so suddenly and out of left field that it snaps you out of your head, though the squirming feeling in your gut persists. What brought this up?

"I... I don't think so. Why?"

You've met some of his team before. A handful of Joltik and their mama Galvantula, Durant, even Crustle.

"Would you like to? There is a poképark right ahead."

You nod, grateful that he doesn't seem to be upset. It's irrational - you know he wouldn't get fed up with you over something like this, but anxiety can mess with anyone's best judgement.

When you arrive, you take a seat together onto a park bench. Emmet's arm automatically rests against the back of the bench behind where you sit. He reaches for his pocket and pulls a pokeball from his coat.

Out comes an Archeops. It jumps about in a flurry of wings and a rainbow of feathers. He flaps and stretches out his wings and runs about a little, hopping in a clumsy flight before settling before you.

His chin plops on Emmet's knee hopefully. Your boyfriend gives him scritches as the pokémon suspiciously eyes over this new person with his trainer. Emmet pulls out a second ball - a pokémon toy with a jingly bell. Now there's no attention on you whatsoever: to Archeops the world has narrowed to this toy. The pupils of his eyes have expanded, leaving them nearly completely black, reflecting the hand holding the toy before him. His tail thumps on the ground behind him in an eager rhythm. Emmet passes it to you. You huck it out into the park and Archeops goes skittering after it gleefully.

"You know... before, you were reminding me a lot of Archeops."

"Huh?" You're a little offended, being compared to a giant rainbow chicken and all. Yet, trainers always hold great fondness for their aces... so maybe there was more to this.

"When Archeops and I first started battling together, it was difficult. He wasn't as tough as he is now. It took a lot of time and a lot of practice for both of us to learn how to work together."

Archeops comes up right on cue and plops the slobbery ball into your lap. He squawks at you. You throw it again, pensive. What was Emmet trying to say here?

"I knew Archen had a lot of great potential. I could see so much in him. He was verrrry strong, but he'd get discouraged when things started to get rough in a battle. He still does. But that’s okay."

Archeops bounds back to you and plops the ball at your feet. You reach your hand out and Archeops tilts his head. He nibbles at your fingers, making a curious cooing bird sound. Then the fossil pokémon presses his head up into your hand, asking for scritches.

"I have seen him pull through again and again. When he gets knocked down, he gets back up. Even when things seem hard, he is still the same Archeops as he was at the start of the battle. I see it even when he does not. And it helps him to be part of a team. Being surrounded by others who believe in him ... It makes a big difference."

You’re not sure what to say, or if you should say anything at all. Instead, you let out a sigh and lean back against Emmet’s shoulder. It is nice to have someone to support you.

"You are a lot like that.... I see how hard you try. You do your verrrry best to get better each day, and it can be hard when it feels like your best is not enough. But it is. And you are."

Archeops practically smushes his head into your lap so you have to look at him. He trills up at you with such a happy, goofy expression that you can't help but feel a blooming fondness for the dinosaur. Emmet leans his head against yours.

"I care about you, even when you're feeling down. I see you. I see how strong you've been and how much you work at it. So don't get discouraged, okay? I am Emmet, and I am here for you no matter what."

How nice it is to be surrounded by the ones who love you.

~~~

Requests are [open!]