Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Flaaaa- brrrreeeee...”

The fire type in Penny’s lap let out a hearty yawn before snuggling close into its trainer’s torso. Penny herself, cooing at the adorableness of the orange Veevee, lets the 55 pound mass of yellow fluff make itself cozy, despite the loss of feeling in their scrawny legs.

But alas, Penny tragically cannot stay focused on how adorable her Veevees are. She had a job, something that would get her money legally, that is garnering her full attention.

Her boss, Geeta, or “La Primera” if you’re a suck-up, recruited her 2 years ago to be an “electrical engineer” for the pokemon league as community service after she not-so-legally robbed the league blind for LP. But now, her volunteer time is up, and has since been properly hired as essentially an IT guy for the entire political power of Paldea. She still has yet to find “IT work” in her job description, but considering the old geezers and literal children working there it’s no surprise everyone just so happens to come to her for all their technological needs. Hell, on her first day Poppy called her in just to recharge her Rotom-Pad so she could continue watching Sprigatito videos.

With all the monotony she’s had to go through over the years, Penny’s more than happy to finally get some time off over the weakened, especially after such an exhausting work week. Using her weakened as an opportunity to binge some Palafin shonen anime, which she foolishly recommended to Nemona before she finished it, so now she’s binged the whole thing before Penny could even find her spot. So now's the time to play catch up.

That is until she got an email from the Pokemon League.

Penny was going to do what she always did when work called for her during their off time and ignore it. It's typically just Hassel forgetting how to change the HDMI in his house again anyways so there never really was a point, but then another one came in.

Then another.

And then another.

And suddenly the Top Champion started flooding her personal DMs, of which she has no idea how Geeta got her number since Penny made sure wasn't on file so people don’t contact her for anything ever.

Soon enough, Penny finally snaps and snatches her rotom phone out of the air. Hitting answer on the 4th call the chairwoman has made, Penny sneers “WHAT???”

“THERE YOU ARE! I’VE BEEN TRYING TO REACH YOU FOR MINUTES!” Geeta snapped back with more force Penny had ever heard from her. Geeta always had this calm, controlled demeanor, even around long time friends and colleagues. Though, Penny would be lying if she didn’t notice the facade dropping once or twice during particularly stressful meetings or obnoxiously loud office parties.

Still- “I have weekends off, right? I didn’t dream it?” Penny bites back.

“Oh! I’m sorry. I should hold off this national emergency until it is convenient for you. MY BAD!” Geeta forced out through the grit of her teeth. Stress and anxiety is evident in her sarcasm. The mere thought of the “La Primera”, miss prissy proper Glimmora enthusiast, using sarcasm is signal enough that these are the end of times.

“Bloody ‘ell, Geeta. Who pissed in your cornflakes this morning?”

Geeta, not even entertaining that response, falls back into her traditional business tone. “We were HACKED, Penelope! All of the League’s LP? Gone! The Poke? Vamanos! We can’t pay the Elite 4 or the gym leaders this month! You were supposed to help PREVENT this sort of thing, correct?”

Penny can tell Geeta’s seething with the rage of an Anger Point Annihilape. They swear they could hear piping hot steam coming out of her ears.

“Fucking- you- *inhale**exhale* First off: my name isn’t ‘Penelope’, it’s just ‘Penny’. No one in their right mind would willingly name themselves ‘Penelope’. And second: it’s not my fault that you boomers insist on using the same password for absolutely everything! Nor is it my fault you never bothered with any of the VPNs or firewalls or anything I’ve told you to-”

“Stop hitting me with your computer mumbo jumbo! Listen. I just want this fixed, got it? If I don’t pay the leaders or Elite 4, the blood will be on your hands!”

Penny hadn’t the time to retort before hearing the dial tone. They already knew this was going to take up far too much of her time, but she didn’t exactly have a choice. So, for the sake of keeping her job, and quite possibly her life judging by Geeta’s tone, she got to work on revamping a system that hadn’t been changed since Kabutops surfed the Kanto seas.

“Uuuggggh. This is gonna take ages.”

Luckily, her Flareon is right there with her, lending whatever support he could. He must’ve felt the bad vibes from his trainer, or was just impatiently begging for food. It’s always one or the other with their Veevees, but Penny was thankful regardless and gave him a nice pat. They then pause the anime (it’s a filler arc anyways), puts on their “working playlist” (mostly Hoen-Pop and anime OVA's), and reluctantly opens the league’s bank account to get started.

Almost a week goes by and Penny is still at it. Payday is coming up and Penny has no idea how to recover the lost cash. She's spent the past week and most of today working on a new accounting and organization system for the league, more secure passwords she will hand-in in person, manually installing cyber security to all the league’s devices, really anything and everything Penny has egged Geeta to invoke in the past 2 years because apparently she has to do everything around here just to ensure that the hackers at least have to try while breaking in.

Penny looks onto the downpour outside their window, breathing in another heavy sigh. Penny rubs her temples in frustration, angrily wondering how in Arceus’s name did this region’s government survive this long with the bare minimum. And what they did to end up being the one to fix it. She is in no way qualified to build a military grade cybersecurity system in a week. Ho-Oh bless them, they're trying her best, but there is only so much Mewtube tech tutorials can teach.

Exhausted and stressed, Penny’s astute Sylveon tugs her in the direction of the kitchen, begging her trainer to go eat. Probably a good idea. She's been sitting in place for... a lot of hours without noticing. Yeah. Food. Good idea. What would she do without her Veevees?

Their bones pop and ache as they get up, treading to the kitchen and opens the fridge to see... nothing. She's already gone through the stock of cup noodle and microwave meals and haven’t had the chance to go grocery shopping... or shower... or sleep for more than two hours...

“GOD...*inhale* damnit. *exhale* Ok. Ok. Think. Do I even have the money for take out? Or even a little bit of grocery shopping?” The Cutiefly flying out of her wallet says otherwise. “Damn... they’re not even native here...”

Penny stares up at the bug flying about for a spell before a familiar tug on her sweatpants snaps them out of it. Ever since moving to an apartment after graduation, Penny’s Veevee’s get a lot more room to mess around in and could fit more toys to rip to shreds in. Obviously, Penny wants to take care of these six, but there are days where that’s very... difficult. Such as today. Today is a stellar example of a difficult day. No money. No energy. No food for her or their pokemon. Not even any time to spend with her pets. She has nothing.

And that more now than ever, has finally sunk in...

...

And then the front door bursts wide open.

“PENNY!!”

“OH BLOODY FUCK!!! N-NEMONA???” Why, on Groudon’s green earth, is Nemona exploding into her home?!

“Puh-pe-pnn-pen-” Looks like the champion’s poor stamina has caught up with her. “Pen-Penny...”

“Are you... ok? Also, did you run up here? It’s, like, 13 floors!” Regardless, she grabs some fresh water from the tap and hands it to the dry-heaving champion, hoping some hydration would help.

“Th–thanks–” Nemona splashes the water onto her face. Not what Penny exactly had in mind, but if it works it works. “-I-hwoof-Ok. I needed to talk to you about a thing and–I–woah.” Nemona just barely found her balance on the door frame, staring purposely at the friend she hasn’t seen in just over a week.

And wow was Penny a wreck. Stained undershirt with torn sweatpants, absolutely caked in Veevee fur and sweat. Not to mention the mangled mane that was her blue and red hair. In fairness, Nemona wasn’t doing too hot, either. Sweaty from the run with a pokemon league cap and a hoodie over a baggy shirt and a pair of impressively muddy jeans. Did she crawl out of a bog? Either or, neither are in any position to judge.

That doesn't stop Nemona's worried gaze.

“Just. Don’t worry about it. Work’s been... well I’m sure you’ve heard about it plenty. You work with Geeta. Oh. Sorry. I meant ‘La Primera’ .” Sure, it was catty, but it still bothers the geek that Nemona still calls her that even after working full time with the woman. “Seriously though, what are you doing here? Thought you got out of work at 9?” Penny inquired as she closed the door behind the taller woman and guided her to the cleanest part of her bed; the part with the least amount of shedded Jolteon needles. ‘Fuck, I haven’t been brushing my vees, either, have I?’

“Thanks again... and... hwoof! Ok ok ok. I’m here. I’m here to tell you that the League is putting together a thingie. A BATTLE THINGIE!!” Volume control has left the room.

“A what?”

“Ahm. C’mon brain, work with me. apapapaaaaTOURNEY!! TOURNAMENT!! THAT’S THE WORD!! La Primera is throwing a Multi Battles Tournament!! And I... you...”

“Ok, first off. Take a breath.” Penny attempts to put a hand on her shoulder to help keep Nemona steady, but immediately retracts it after realizing how gross feeling the swampy hoodie is. Still, Nemona does what Penny says. Good. “A 'Multi Battle Tournament', was it?”

“Ha... yeah. I think we should enter! Together! I mean, if you want to. And have time, that is.” She starts fidgeting with her hoodie which Penny has learnt that means either Nemona is nervous, flustered, or, worst of all, uncomfortable. They pray it’s not the ladder. “You can say ‘no’, too! You don’t have to! I just thought maybe... it would be nice to spend some time together? Since our jobs have been keeping us busy?”

It doesn’t sound like a half-bad idea. Plus, she’s noticing the stark lack of vitamin D is taking its toll on her... but there are two problems with this. One big, one small. “Well, first off, why aren’t you pestering Julianna with this? You two have this... strange bond over battles. Is she, like, AWOL? Or dying? Or–”

“NO!! No no no no no!! She’s not dying!! She’s fine! I just... I... I just kind of sorta wanna do it with you?”

“Reeeeeeeeeeeal convincing.” This got a very anxious chuckle out of Nemona the likes of which Penny has only seen in the telenovelas her dad watches. It was forced and coarse through the dry throat. Which typically means she’s hiding something, but right at this moment there is something else. Another problem worth pressing. Just a small, teensy conflict with this tournament. “And how exactly is the League covering this?”

Nemona looks puzzled. As if the answer was entirely obvious. “Well, La Primera. She’s funding it from her own pocket.”

“Her own pocket, you say.” Nemona, sweet sweet Nemona, hasn’t the slightest clue of what kind of storm is brewing inside the eye-twitching programmer's soul. “SO! Instead of PAYING HER STAFF she’s putting on a battling FARCE out of HER. OWN. POCKET???”

“Uuuuuuh yeah? She said it was, ah um, about, em, ‘building a sense of community’?” Nemona’s shoulders tense. She hasn’t seen Penny like this since The Great Mario Party Star Trade of 23’ (which Julianna still adamantly argues that giving the star to Arven just so Penny would lose was the correct play). Only adding to this is Sylveon and her ribbons accompanying Penny’s side. Nemona knows she only does that when she either wants food, snuggles, or, in this case, Penny is in need of calming down.

“I have been working my bloody ASS off on this stupid security system that hasn’t been updated since Hassel was in diapers under the premise that all of Geeta’s employees will not get paid, which includes myself, even though I’ve been VERY CLEAR that firewalls are IMPORTANT. That they needed more up to date computers outside of the fossils they’ve-WE’VE been stuck with! For them to maybe, just maybe, don't click obvious viruses, even if they advertise 'free clodsire pics' or 'artists hate him! find out why' crap! And I’ve been working overtime with no extra pay promised, not even having enough to feed MYSELF LET ALONE MY VEEVEES!! And she just... pays for a tournament... for ‘building a sense of community’... from her own pocket......” The final nail in the coffin. Geeta has prevented Penny from caring for their Veevee family. Nemona gives La Primera a day or two before she disappears entirely.

“Heh, um, in my defense Larry said the security was just fine, so I just thought it was fixed and you got the money back and... I dunno, I wanted to celebrate with the tournament!” Nemona’s fidgeting again.

Penny looked at the floor. And then looked at Nemona. Then the floor again. Then Nemona. Then her Sylveon. At last, she takes a breath.

“It’s not your fault Nemona, I’m not going to shoot the messenger. I’m just... really tired...”

Nemona hates hearing her Penny sound so defeated. There has to be something to fix this, but, regrettably, she’s coming up empty. “Is there... Is there anything I can do for you?” She does her best to sound sincere, but after thinking about it for too long it came off as more of a stretched out question. Still, Penny smiles a little, so that’s a win, right?

“Thanks Nemona, but I really don’t know what to do at this point.” Penny flops on the needled side of the bed. Trying to calm the heap of rage and betrayal inside their broken, beaten body.

To show some sympathy, Nemona too turns around and flops face first into the bed.

...

It's faint, yes, but Nemona could hear a soft, muffled, absolutely precious and horribly short giggle next to her. Nemona turns her head to see if this somehow helped and–

“Hi there...” –is met with a despondent, yet somehow content smile on Penny’s face. “So. How’s it like to be down here with me in the pokemon fur trenches?”

Nemona just stares. Even after all of that, the week they have had and the state they’re in, Nemona still thinks Penny is radiant. Their face said tired and despair, yet endeared somehow. Her glasses are askew from flopping, but somehow that just makes Penny even cuter. The messy hair. The chubby cheeks. The small smile. The sleepy eyes... Nope. Focus. Stop being blinded by Cassiopeia. Focus.

Snaping out of it, Nemona giggles. “Funny how you say ‘trenches’ when it took me 2 miles and 13 floors up to get here.”

“Well, maybe if you used the elevator like a nor–wait 2 miles? To get here?”

Nemona turns bright red. “AH! Ha. Well. You see I really wanted to do this with you and I heard of it just now and I thought I could make my day better by seeing you.” Volume control is still miles away from Penny’s apartment, but right now they do not care in the slightest. Even if Penny flinches a little every time the champion gets especially loud.

“Get better? By seeing... me?” Everything in Nemona’s being is telling her to abort. This is too personal and intimate for either very reserved party involved. She starts fidgeting with the sheets, stewing over whether she's already messed everything up or not. “Nemona? Did something... happen today? Something that by some miracle seeing me vent at the top of my lungs would make it... better? Somehow?”

There’s no going back now. Not that there was any chance to begin with since Nemona’s limbs have long since stopped moving out of exhaustion and anxiety. And sympathy, too, of course. “Ah. Right, well. P-Please, uh, don’t you worry about me! I mean you have your own issues–” A hand slides over her mouth.

“Nemona. Maria. Diaz.” Full name. It’s all over for her. Nemona’s already planning what her gravestone will say. “If you truly don’t want to talk about it, then that’s fine, but I am...” They pause. Give their next words some thought. Thinks about them for a few seconds and their hefty meaning. A big step for a 2 year friendship for a very stand-off-ish kind of person. “I am... here for you.” Silence. “A-A-And uh, I’m also not one to talk after spilling my guts out like that so...”

...

...

“... So, today I was called into La Primera’s office-” Nemona’s eyes dull. “-Which is pretty standard, right? And Rika’s at the front desk picking on me, with good intentions, but it's still kinda draining-” Nemona looks up to see Penny, looking intently. The glare had so much care and warmth in it Nemona had almost forgotten the absolute state everything around them is in. She almost forgets to continue, wanting to bask in the Cassiopeia rays. “-and then Larry mentioned the embezzlement and that you and Geeta already took care of it-” Penny’s look darkens, and rightfully so. “-which I now know wasn’t true. As much as I admire La Primera she so often embellishes the truth to the point where I don’t even know if I trust her anymore!-” Penny flinches, but motions her to keep going. “–and then I got a call from my parents saying they’re in Undella Town again ‘wishing you were here’–ing me when I wasn’t even aware they were planning a trip at all! Not to mention after the call I tripped in a puddle and had to change clothes and forgot it was laundry day too, so I couldn't throw on whatever. Then it started raining and some guy yelled at me in the road and I couldn’t even decompress with a battle or 2 because Julianna has been in Kitakami these last 2 weeks doing who knows what. Not to mention, the League is closed on Saturdays! So no one is working then!” Penny so desperately wishes that were true. “S-Sorry. That got a little ranty...”

“A lot more civil than what I did. Still, that sounds really rough..."

...

Penny looks away, and then back. "Say, did you catch the guy that yelled at you’s name? Maybe even social security? Just curious for... legal reasons.”

Nemona lit up like a Shiinotic at night, even snickering a little. “Suuuuuuure. ‘Legal reasons.’” She teased before getting lightly punched by the nerd, even though they both know that it did not hurt in the slightest because Penny was the athletic equivalent of a balloon with 4 sticks glued on.

“Seriously though, don’t ever apologize for ranting too long. Ranting is like 90% of my conversations with people anyways, so, trust me, you’re in good company.”

“You really don’t mind?”

“Not at all. Are you crazy? I love to hear you talk–” A hand slides in front of their mouth. Penny's own. Covering not just the words coming from their mouth, but also the brilliant cheri red on her cheeks. But disastrously, this obstruction was seen through.

“... You–you do?” A question asked with so much caution there should be bright yellow signs around it.

Penny hesitates for a moment. In that moment they consider a lot of what just happened. They consider rollercoaster of weird and crumby emotions of today the likes of which could probably kill a person, but if her autism diagnosis meant anything it meant they are not most people. And neither was Nemona, for that matter. In fairness, this day got strangely and mutually... better once she came barreling into her one-room apartment, even if the initial scare took several years off of them and their Veevee’s lives.

But the after was nice...

She really has to stop getting away with this. Nemona keeps making days better like this. Like the sun peering out over the rain. Ever since they crawled out of that crater, she’s just been nothing but dorky and kind. And so incredibly adorable. Even when Penny was such an ass to her initially. Which makes it so infuriating when she accidentally spoiled something crucial to the villain Houndstone’s character arc in Palafin Z ! She made it so hard to stay mad at her it wasn't fair!

And right now... is probably the most peaceful and heard Penny has felt since... since she last saw Nemona to be honest. And somehow they think Nemona feels similarly. Weird, battle hungry, dorky, super pretty but super loud, covered in puddle water Nemona. Doing what she does best.

So, Penny decides to stay honest. Truthful. “I–well, who wouldn’t? Your voice is really pretty.” Nemona’s face lights up. “Ah, ehm. Plus, we both had hard days, so it’s just nice to talk to someone about it, I guess...” Nemona’s stare is intense, making a face like she’s holding a Pawmi in her mouth (last time that happened, Penny and Arven spent all afternoon trying to get it out safely). “Kinda wish I didn’t just, you know, put all that on you... Sorry, sorry again–”

“I LIKE YOUR VOICE TOO!!” Volume control. Not with us. Penny flinches hard, sliding off the bed sheets and onto the fuzzy carpet where a previously undisturbed Leafeon has since vacated from. “OH MY GOSH!! ARE YOU OK???”

From down here, Penny can just spot their desk. The work they have been working so hard on for no reward or retribution... The very time sensitive work Geeta could have solved all on her own... putting all of it onto an 18 year old... Working her to the bone under the pretense they wouldn't get paid. Wouldn't be able to take care of her Veevees... “Hey. Nemo. Is that... Multi Battle Tournament today?”

“Huh? Uh, yeah? Tonight at 11, why?”

“Well then we better hurry if we want to make it on time.” Penny picks themself up off the floor and stands up, brushing off the various loose fur and retrieving their pokemon back into their balls. Looking back at the champion, however, proved to be a bad idea as she started beaming brighter than any star. “C-C’mon, you gonna stare all day or go battle?”

“BATTLE! I mean, ahem, battle would be quite nice. Hehe.” Nemona bounced on the bed, giddy with excitement– before getting smacked in the face with an oversized hoodie and long jeans.

“I’m going to change the bed sheets now so they don’t smell like muddy rain water and Pewter Crunchies while you change into something less... smelly, alright?”

“*gasp* Penny?!  Insulting... Me??? And here I thought what we had was special!! ” Penny can’t help the smile on her face as she collects sheets and blankets to toss in with the rest of the laundry. Not the most practical way to clean them, but the most efficient for sure.

“I know I know. Truly the most heinous crime imaginable. Whatcha’ gonna do about it?” Nemona just sticks her tongue out and bounds towards the bathroom to change.

As the duo are left to their own devices, they both can’t help but squeal a little bit into some fabric.

Penny swiftly grabbed their biggest, baggiest hoodie she has, the one with Eevee fluff around the collar and an Eevee tail print on the back, over a different, less sweaty, tank top along with a short skirt and pink leggings. Nemona puts on the baggy hoodie she was smacked in the face with, a black with a white to yellow gradient of a Jolteon, a plain white undershirt of equally considerable bagginess, and a pair of ripped jeans she remembers Penny complaining about how they bought them from Amaze-All only to find that they where two sizes too big for her prawny legs.

Penny grabs the two umbrellas Arven forced them to buy just in case the rain starts up again (still doesn’t mean he’s right, he’s just less wrong today is all) before Nemona manages to catch up and–

'Oh. Pretty.'

...

...

“W-Well I’m glad you ditched the hat at least.”

“Oof! Another blow to my ego! You’re on a roll.”

“Yeah, well, at least you pull off the emo hoodie look.”

“Oh, really? Well, you– you... GAH!”

“Ha ha!”

“Shut up!!! I’m not clever enough for a come up with anything on the spot!! Doesn’t mean I can’t come up with something!!”

“Alright, I’ll hold you to that. Ready to get going? Using the elevator this time, I hope?”

“YES!! Let's go!! Let's go!!” Nemona yanks Penny’s hand, dragging the smaller trainer out the door, almost forgetting to close it behind them. Penny barely manages to grab onto Nemona’s arm to keep themself balanced and leading Nemona to the clearly labeled elevator.

But as they go down, a burning question is left unanswered. Something Nemona has yet to breach. “Sooooooo are you just going to this tournament to stick it to Geeta?” Penny just stares ahead, still latched onto Nemona’s arm like a Joltik.

“Perrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrhaps.” They pop the last “p”. “That and also the prize money. Me and my Veevees still need food.”

“YOU HAVEN’T EATEN??”

“Um–” Before Penny could say anything, a protein bar appeared in her other hand. “... Thanks...”

“Any time... Pen-pen.”

“DO NOT!!”

Nemona starts laughing her head off.

Getting off at ground level, ready to dash through the light drizzle to Mesagoza Plaza their umbrellas half open. Nemona goes on ahead to splash in an admittedly very tempting puddle, leaving the Team Star leader behind, withholding a smile... Until her glasses fogged up and Nemona started pulling her into the puddle. A startled yelp and a vicious splash in Nemona’s face later, they notice where the tourney’s taking place. Where else but the battle court placed in the dead center of Mesagoza.

“Today’s been weird, but are you ready for some petty multi battles, partner?” Nemona expresses nothing else but pure joy and affection on a thankfully drier face now that they got the umbrellas unstuck.

Penny linked their arms again. She was more than ready. Ready to ruin some kids days and give a lovingly crafted “fuck you” to their boss. She even downed that disgusting protein bar that tasted like chalk.

“Almost. One more thing before we sign up.”

“Hmm?” Tilting her head sideways in a way that reminds Penny of Umbreon and Vaporeon as they were as hatchlings, so curious about everyone and everything around them.

Penny can’t help it. She’s too cute. “Can I kiss you?”

Nemona froze, then defrosted, then froze again, and finally gave a very enthusiastic nod. Penny had barely registered what they’d just asked, let alone whether Nemona would be on board, but there it is! Consent clearer than the skies above them.

Penny grabs Nemona’s collar pulling her down to their level, gives her one more look, one more out just in case, and uses the second umbrella to cover what happens next to the general public. It was just a quick peck, and further adds to the already weird and all over the place day, but they still liked it. Processing what happened, they get really excited and tap their feet, flap their hands, squeal a little bit.

“Wow–wowza.”

Penny snickers.

“NO!! SHUT UP!! Ugh, I can never win!!”

Penny just laughs and grabs her hand to lead the way. “C’mon you dweeb, it’s about to start.”

Win or lose, it doesn’t matter. They had fun fighting together, enacted petty revenge together, and even got some winning cash for groceries together. By far the second best part of the day. A bizarre, very bizarre day for sure, but most certainly a memorable one.

Bonus:

“Wow, that fight was rough. Not gonna lie, the Oranguru surviving Meowscarada's Knock Off caught me waaaaaaay off guard. Maybe I should invest in attack more, hehe.”

“Hm? What’s so funny?”

“Oh, nothing, just Palafin Super could’ve absolutely crushed Houndstone X if he just invested right. Guess the show writers didn’t know what they were doing, ay?”

“W h a t.”

“Eh?”

“Did you just spoil the–”

“Oh. Whoops.”

“I’m breaking up with you.”

“WHAT? I didn’t even know we were together!”

“We were. Just now. So I could break up with you. Deal with it.”

“Wha– PEN-PEN WHY!?”