Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hop opened his recently completed analysis of a new pokémon food sample, scrolled through the results looking for anything alarming, then opened the most up to date pokémon recommended dietary allowances and started running a side-by-side comparison.

He made himself a black tea with milk, poured some fresh water into Dubwool’s bowl, then got back to his desk and prepared his feedback regarding the food sample. Some small adjustments to the formula followed by a resubmission of the sample and Wedgehurst Pokémon Research Lab will be able to certify the product and approve it for distribution.

Hop sent the email and took a deep breath leaning back in his office chair. He completed all the tasks he planned for today, the sun was slowly coming down, Dubwool was asleep next to his desk, sometimes suddenly moving her legs like she was dreaming about running.

Hop smiled looking at the handcrafted braided bracelet he put on his Dubwool when she was still a young Wooloo. He made such friendship bracelets for all of his pokémon. Each one with different colors that matched his beloved pokémon best. He also made one for Gloria, his best friend.

Hop chuckled awkwardly, remembering the moment when he gave Gloria the bracelet. The moment when he put it on Gloria’s hand and she thanked him with a bit shy but romantic kiss. Hop winced remembering his awkward confession that followed afterwards.

“All done?” Sonia’s question brought him back to earth. She poured herself some cold-brew tea Hop prepared in the morning.

“Yeah.” Hop turned off his laptop and stood up from the desk. “Tomorrow I’ll take a look at that new pokéball model from Celadon.”

“Who’s working on that one with us?” Sonia took a big sip of tea and smiled. “No one makes better tea than you, Hop.”

“Thanks.” Hop smiled in response. “Cerise from Vermilion with Karna as a consultant,” he added. “The test plan is ready.”

“Already? You know the SLA for pokéballs is six months? You don’t have to have the plan ready a day after we received the request!”

“What can I say, I just love this work.” Hop shrugged. He knelt down next to his Dubwool, who just woke up, and started petting her soft fur. “Making sure everything pokémon-related is safe.”

Sonia sat down at her desk and put her cup of tea on a coaster shaped like a Charizard. She opened her laptop. As owners of the lab, they didn't work regular working hours. It was up to them to decide what needed to be done and when. Perks of being pokémon professors at their own lab. Though it usually meant that they worked way more than they would at a regular job.

“And your own research?” Sonia asked, while checking her mailbox. “The Paldea Crater?”

“Still waiting for the response on that one.” Hop sighed. “I already went through all the data on paradox pokémon I could access. There’s so much more we all should learn. If they don’t respond soon, back to Galarian Weezing weight deviations I guess.” Hop smiled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head.

“You could use a break,” Sonia said. “You work way too much. I’ll give you a few days off,” she added jokingly.

“You can no longer give me days off, Sonia,” Hop snapped back. “That’s for assistants. I can just let you know I won’t be there for a few days or something. Right, Dubwool?”

“Dubwool!”

“Oh, my bad, Professor Hop.” Sonia spinned in her chair. “Now that you earned your academic title, I really need to look for a new assistant,” she added. “For both of us!” Sonia exclaimed as the sudden realisation hit her.

“I actually got a few applications from students that loved my thesis on Zacian and Zamazenta. I can recommend the second best to be your assistant,” Hop answered with a snark.

“Second best, how dare you!” Sonia laughed, then noticed Dubwool waiting impatiently by the lab door. “Sorry, my dear, you want to go outside and I keep chatting up your partner.”

“Where’s Yamper?” asked Hop, noticing the absence of Sonia’s puppy pokémon.

“With Leon. He needed to run a few errands and I don’t want him to get lost.” Sonia seemed to remember something and reached into her bag. “About that. Here, an invitation.”

Hop opened the card.

“A weekend in Stow-on-Side?”

“Yes, Leon and I are inviting some friends and family. I mean, believe it or not, Leon booked everything.” She smiled, playing with her hair. “He just keeps forgetting to give out the invitations.”

“I’ll be there, of course.”

“Gloria will be there too,” answered Sonia with a suggestive tone of voice. “You didn't have much time to see each other with the championships in progress, right? But now that she gets to keep her title for another year, I’m sure she’ll stop by more often.”

“I’m sure she will.” Hop managed to not roll his eyes.

“I’d love to put you both in one room, but that would be rather inappropriate.” Sonia scratched her cheek. “But don’t worry, you’ll have time to catch up for sure. The main event is a dinner Leon booked at a new restaurant.”

Hop saw how excited Sonia was about this trip. It really made him warm inside to see someone being so happy because of his brother. Leon really loved Sonia.

It was a perfect love story, wasn't it? Childhood friends and rivals turned best friends turned lovers? No wonder both Leon and Sonia kept pushing him to ask Gloria out. Leon got his perfect love story and wanted the same for his younger brother.

This time Hop couldn’t help but sigh.

“Not excited about the restaurant, Gloria, a weekend with us, or what?” Sonia asked, playfully but with a look of worry in her eyes.

“I’m really excited about all of it! Just tired.”

“Right, right. You worked so hard today.” Sonia nodded and turned back to her laptop. “See you tomorrow. I’ll close the shop.”

Hop grabbed his bag and headed for the door. Dubwool jumped, excited to finally leave the lab.

“Dubwool, sweetie. Let’s go home. We’ll walk by the river.”

“Wool, wool!”

* * *

The scenic walk from the lab to his home was Hop’s favourite thing about Wedgehurst. The second favourite was his big yard where all of his pokémon could play.

Hop always preferred small towns, having grown up in Postwick, and was perfectly fine just visiting big cities like Wyndon instead of living there in some tiny city apartment. Dubwool needed her grass fields after all. So did Rilaboom, Snorlax, Corviknight, Cramorant, Pincurchin, and Silicobra. Dear Arceus, Hop really loved them all.

As they walked, enjoying the evening breeze and sunset, Hop called Gloria. She picked up with her camera on, eating fish and chips at home, still in her Champion outfit, her Cinderace at the table with her, with a plate full of berries.

Hop also turned his camera on and let his Rotom Phone hover alongside him as he walked.

“Will you ever let any new kid become a champion?” he asked. “Or are you planning on beating Leon’s record?”

“Says the youngest pokémon professor.” Gloria snapped back and then helped herself to another bite of her dinner.

“What can I say, we make an amazing duo.” Hop shrugged with a charming smile, his hands in the pockets of his lab coat. “About that-”

“Did you get the invite from Leon?” Gloria asked, her mouth full.

“From Sonia.”

“Right. Leon forgot the invitations, but we saw each other today at the stadium and he invited me to Stow,” she explained. “Hop, I think he’s going to propose.”

“What?!” This stopped Hop right in his tracks. Dubwool raised her head. “How can you know that? He never mentioned anything to me!”

“Well, first of all, physical invitations to a dinner?” Gloria waved her fork at the camera. “Also, today Leon asked if I could find some time before the weekend to invite Sonia to get her nails done. He even gave me money. Way too much to get the nails done, but hey. What else could it mean?”

“Well, with a proof like that…” Hop scratched the back of his head. “Dear Arceus, what if I’ll become an uncle soon?!”

“You skipped a few steps there, Hop. But you would make a great uncle.” Gloria put her fork on the table. Cinderace finished his berries and left the table, grabbing his favourite ball on his way. “You wanted to say something? About us being an amazing duo?”

“Yeah.” Hop took a deep breath. “Sonia told me you were also invited. And that she wishes she could give us one room.”

“Ouch…” Gloria laughed awkwardly. “I had nothing to do with that.”

“You sure?”

“I might have told her that I admire you,” she admitted. Then paused for a longer moment. “Aaand that we kissed.”

“It was a long time ago!”

“Well, a few weeks ago we went out for some drinks, talked about pokémon, work, guys, you know. I might have mentioned what happened between us after she asked me about the bracelet.”

“Did you tell her-”

“No, of course not,” Gloria replied immediately. “If I did, she wouldn't be trying to set us up, right?”

“Right.” Hop calmed down. Dear Arceus, how he wished everybody would just fuck off when it came to his love life. Or the lack of thereof.

“But you should just tell them.”

“I will.”

“Raihan will be there too,” Gloria added nonchalantly.

“Where?” Hop stretched his arms, for a moment forgetting what they were even talking about.

“Stow-on-side, you Slowpoke. The engagement weekend. Leon invited him too. I know because he texted him right after he invited me. Of course he’d like his best friend there. If my theory is true. And you know it is.”

“Nice,” Hop replied, faking total lack of enthusiasm. “But please don’t-”

“I’m not doing anything.” Gloria spread her arms. “I’m just letting you know in case you want to wear something different than a lab coat or sweatpants.”

Hop shook his head in defeat.

“I should have never told you I think he’s hot.”

“Oh, but you told me so much more.” Gloria grinned. “Quote unquote, getting a teenage crush on my brother’s rival slash best friend was how I knew I was gay. And no, the crush did not fade-”

“You share that with anyone and I will spraypaint your crush’s name on the biggest Stow Diglett!” Hop raised his voice so high, an older couple passing by looked at him like he personally offended them. “Sorry…” Hop hunched and smiled. They passed him with scoffs on their faces.

“You wouldn't dare,” Gloria said.

“Try me.”

“In two days, we’re playing a friendly match against some schoolkids.” To Hop’s satisfaction, Gloria decided to change the topic instead of trying to call his bluff. “Hammerlocke Stadium.”

“Let me guess-”

“Yes, he’ll be there. Maybe you want to cheer us on. Or, you know, the kids, that’s fine too. I’ll need to catch some weak pokémon to give them a fighting chance. Or maybe borrow some of yours?”

“Sure, will Zacian do or is she too weak?”

Gloria tried to keep a straight face, but she laughed almost immediately. Hop joined her, gladly sharing a cheerful bickering moment with his best friend.

He might have chosen a pokémon science path instead of pokémon fighting, but they both knew his trainer skills were nothing to scoff at. A legendary pokémon fought by his side after all.

“I’ll buy you dinner after.”

“With my brother's money? I’ll be there.”

“Love to hear that. Love you. See you.”

“Love you and see you.” Hop hung up and left his phone hovering nearby.

“Dubwool?” Hop’s pokémon stopped and looked at the field where a flock of Wooloo and Dubwool were grazing, soon to be herded back to the pen for the night.

“Go, play with your friends for a bit,” said Hop, petting the pokémon’s soft head. “I’ll look at the Weezing data. Or start thinking about a wedding gift.”

“Dub!” Dubwool brushed against her partner’s leg and then rolled away to join other sheep pokémon for a little bit of evening playtime.

Hop sat on the grass by a low stone wall, watching his Dubwool roll around with her friends (he also took a video of that to post later). He scrolled through some work data, gift ideas, and his friends’ socials (stopping for a bit longer at Raihan’s newest selfie promoting his upcoming friendly match with ambitious schoolkids), when he got a reply to his request to be allowed entry to Area Zero.

“Dubwool!” Hop shouted, not able to contain his excitement.

His pokémon rolled up to him immediately, a ball of cotton rolling down the green grass to stop with a thud by his feet.

“Dub, dub!” Dubwool shook her head and jumped. “Wool?” She cocked her head to the side.

“I got in, sweetie.” Hop knelt down and hugged his partner. “We’re going to Paldea. Excited to meet paradox pokémon?”

“Wool!”

Chapter Text

The cameras just loved Raihan, the dragon tamer. Probably as much as they loved Hop’s older brother. Maybe even more, now that Leon retired from his job as the Galar region’s Pokémon Champion and focused on community work in Postwick and all over the region.

But Raihan was even more popular now, having battled in other regions and getting involved in all of Gloria’s new initiatives aimed at popularizing responsible pokémon battling among Galar’s trainers and promoting Galarian scene outside of the region. He even worked on some additional activities on his own, like building a new pokémon sanctuary.

Hop watched as Raihan battled another schoolkid who signed up for this cheerful event. Raihan clearly wasn’t using Flygon’s strongest attacks and was giving commands way slower than he did in matches against equal opponents, yet the kid obviously stood no chance (even though all kids were allowed two pokémon at the same time). The kid seemed extremely happy though. Hop understood that very well. A good fight lost was always better than a bad fight won.

Hop couldn't take his eyes of Raihan (fuck, he always looked so wild and committed when battling) and the engaging pokémon battles (the most engaging part being the stupid shit kids and their pokémon were doing to try to get the edge over the experienced trainer).

Hop’s admiration of Raihan’s fifth and final battle was interrupted by a kid squeezing between the stadium seats and gently touching his arm.

“Excuse me, mister… Can I get an autograph?” the kid asked and pulled Hop’s old Pokémon League card.

“Oh, I haven't been battling in the league for some time now.” Hop blushed a little and scratched the back of his head.

On the stadium’s playing field, a young challenger was trying to stun Flygon by covering Flygon’s head with Bronzong’s bell-shaped body and having a Honedge hit it for an incapacitating vibrating effect. Hop thought it was quite a cute idea, if Flygon wasn’t also capable of flight and way better at that, making the two opposing pokémon chase him all over the field.

“I’d love to do some battling and then become a pokémon professor, just like you, mister,” the kid replied, a wide smile on her puffy face. “And you also saved Galar, mister!”

“You can just call me Hop.” Hop found a pen in his bag and signed the card. He looked like such a kid all those years ago. “Want to take a selfie together too?” he offered, posing like he did on the card photo.

“Nah, I’m good, thank you,” the kid replied and left as quickly as she appeared, leaving Hop flabbergasted at the encounter.

Hop wondered for a second if he really would be a good uncle. It was probably easier to deal with a flock of Wooloo than with one kid.

After a dozen or so other battles with different gym leaders (these weren't really long or intense matches), the time has come for a grand finale.

“And now,” started the event’s commentator, “Postwick Elementary Champion Nari will face Gloria, our Monarch, our ruling Galar Champion!”

Hop gave his best friend a standing ovation. Gloria entered the stadium wearing a beautiful crimson coat, similar to the one Leon used to wear. She even wore a small golden crown that she was famously photographed in for Wyndon’s Fashion a few months back.

* * *

“You crushed that kid’s dreams,” Hop said, after the event ended and he met up with Gloria outside of Hammerlocke Stadium.

Gloria took off her champion clothes and was now wearing a pink dress with a grey sweater. Hop wore a pair of dark blue jeans and a buttoned up black shirt, well-fitted to his slender body. Just in case Raihan saw him or something. They both kept their pokémon in pokéballs, wanting to focus on their meeting.

“I ignited them,” Gloria replied, poking Hop’s chest. “I told her she should keep training hard, so she can win the champion title from me in a few years. You should have seen the light in her eyes. Dear Arceus, I love this job.”

Hop loved seeing his best friend eager like that. He felt the same every time he discovered a new thing about pokémon or their history.

They started walking towards a restaurant, when they saw Bede, Ballonlea Stadium’s leader. He waved to them. Hop waved back with a smile and Gloria with a blush.

“If he hasn’t asked you out yet,” Hop said, when Bede left the area. “It must mean he’s gay. I would know.”

“Just my luck.” Gloria shrugged. “Should have gone for Leon when he was still single.”

“Gross!”

“You know what, let’s make a deal.” Gloria put her arm on Hop’s shoulders. It wasn’t as easy as it was before, now that he got taller than her. “I’ll ask Bede out, if you ask Raihan out.”

“Why would I even-” Hop shook his head, his big golden eyes wide open. “What kind of stupid deal is that? And Raihan doesn’t even think of me like that, don’t be stupid. He knew me when I was a kid. To him I’m just Leon’s little brother. Did I mention this is stupid and you are stupid?”

“I mean,” Gloria replied, not discouraged at all. “He slept with like a half of Galarian gym leaders, and who knows whom else, so I’m sure you have a chance-”

“What the fuck, Gloria.”

“Sorry. I just mean, as far as crushes go, he shouldn’t be that hard to get,” Gloria said, making Hop’s frown even deeper. “Fuck, that was a mean thing to say, wasn’t it?”

Hop just shook his head. He didn't think often about that aspect of Raihan’s captivating personality, other than in his stupid fantasies that usually took place in a stadium’s changing room. In real life, he didn’t want his first time to be someone’s random one night stand. Even if that someone was a tall and kind dragon tamer with striking teal eyes…

“It’s fine,” he said, dismissing the topic. “Let’s go eat that dinner you’re paying for.”

“Dinner?” asked a female voice.

Hop and Gloria both turned to see Bea and Raihan catching up to them. They were both still in their work clothes, Machamp and Duraludon running behind them.

“Mind if we join?” Raihan asked, giving them a warm smile.

Hop stood still with his mouth slightly opened. He suddenly wondered if Bea was amongst that half of Galarian gym leaders Gloria mentioned.

“Sorry, we-” Gloria started, grabbing Hop’s arm.

“No, sure, let’s go together,” said Hop, glad he found time yesterday to iron his fancy black shirt.

“Hop!” Gloria managed a screaming whisper.

Hop shrugged and smiled. Gloria sighed. 

“Of course,” she said. “Let’s celebrate some dream crushing. But hide your pokémon, it was supposed to be a human only catchup.” 

Bea and Raihan obliged and the four of them started walking together. Some passersbys asked for autographs or took pictures, some didn’t recognize them at all (this might be hard to believe, but not everyone cares about pokémon battling).

“Hop,” whispered Gloria. “You texted me before the show that you have some great news. Now that we are with them-”

“It’s fine,” Hop promised. “I’ll just tell all of you. It’s not like Sonia’s pregnant or anything…”

“Sonia’s pregnant!” Raihan grabbed Hop and Gloria’s arms, stopping them on the street. “I knew it! They're gonna get married in Stow!”

“No!” Hop protested, though he didn't mind Raihan’s hand on his arm. “No one’s pregnant. I think… I would notice, right?” Hop started to actually doubt himself. “I work with Sonia almost every day…”

“Are you interviewing new assistants?” Bea asked him, thinking about more important topics.

“Then what will happen in Stow?” Raihan looked at Gloria, puzzled at the revelation that it was not a surprise wedding.

“I think Leon will propose,” she answered. “Don’t tell Sonia. I convinced her we’re getting our nails done because I need it for a new champion photoshoot.”

“I will start soon,” Hop replied to Bea’s question. They kept walking.

“I can fight them first,” she offered. “So only the strongest make it to the interview with you.”

“Damn, my boy Leon is getting married.” Raihan hugged Gloria, picking her up from the sidewalk. “No wonder he’s been thinking about opening a school for young trainers and settling down in Postwick for good.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Hop scratched his head hearing Bea’s offer. “Though you know what…” he added after a moment of thinking. “I’d like my assistant to be able to catch as many pokémon as possible. So they should be good at pokémon battles.”

“See!” Bea patted his back. “I’ll help you.”

“Yeah, that school,” said Hop, joining the other conversation. “I thought it was only about sharing his passion with the younger generation, but it is probably also about having regular working hours and being at home with Sonia, now that… It’s really happening, isn’t it?”

Gloria, Raihan, and Bea nodded.

“We’re here,” said Gloria, stopping by the restaurant she chose. She made a reservation for two, but the headwaiter eagerly managed to find a table for more of the Champion’s friends.

* * *

They spend the next two hours eating, drinking, talking, gossiping, listening to Hop talk about Galarian Weezing, showing cute pictures of their pokémon and even of some wild pokémon they managed to take pics of.

Hop saw Gloria grow a bit impatient, but he was also quite busy looking at Raihan looking at him when he undid a top button of his black shirt (couldn't be helped, the drinks made Hop feel a bit hot and he needed more air).

Before that, he was busy with Raihan showing him pictures of his Sandaconda bathing in the sand and then reciprocating by showing Raihan pictures of his Silicobra eating berries and fighting Rilaboom. Then Raihan moved to pictures of Goodra playing in the pool and some of them included Raihan wearing only swimtrunks, so…

Gloria cleared her throat and looked at Hop expectantly. Everyone stopped chatting.

“You told me you had some news that couldn't wait.”

“Right.” Hop took a sip of water. “You know about that crater in Paldea, right?” Everyone nodded. “A few months back, a Naranja student accompanied by three friends managed to catch some completely new pokémon there. Now the entry to the area is regulated, so is the catching and research of the new pokémon, all managed by the newly established Area Zero Laboratory.”

“I watched a video about it,” said Raihan. “Paradox pokémon right? Past and future of the pokémon we know, something like that.”

“That’s the news?” Bea took a bite of her dessert. “Are there any paradox fighting-types? Then I want to go there.”

“Who wouldn't want to go there?” Gloria agreed. “No wonder they regulate the entry.”

“I will be going there.” Hop smiled, playing with his cuff. “My application and research plan finally got approved by the Zero Lab.”

“Damn, Hop, that’s great!” Gloria almost stood up, her voice and eyes full of admiration for her best friend.

“It is! We should expect nothing less from you!” Raihan joined her. “Way to go, Leon’s little bro.”

“Oh, I’m not so little,” Hop answered, a bit more suggestively than he planned, though he wasn't sure Raihan noticed. Gloria surely did, but she did not comment.

“When will you be going?” she asked instead.

“In a week, after the Stow-on-Side engagement weekend. And I’m approved to bring an assistant. Since I haven't hired one yet, will you go with me, Gloria?”

Gloria’s face brightened even more.

“Of course!” She hugged Hop over the table.

“Damn, I’m jealous,” said Raihan, taking a pic of their hug.

“Well, Raihan,” Gloria replied. “You can be Hop’s backup assistant if something comes up and I won’t be able to go. Though I’d hate to miss it, so it would have to be another Eternatus appearing.”

“I hope you have a great trip,” said Bea. “In the meantime, send me the applications you received so I know whom to fight.”

They ended the evening by walking to the train station, some of their pokémon out of pokéballs, playing with each other, wanting slimy hugs, Dubwool rolling down the street, the usual. Raihan took a few pics.

Bea’s train arrived soon after they reached the Hammerlocke Station, so she quickly said her goodbyes. Then Raihan left, walking back to his apartment in the city.

“Well, that went great,” Gloria said, once they were alone. “When is the next train to Wedgehurst?”

“In an hour.”

“Mine is in twenty minutes.” Gloria looked at the timetable. She lived in Wyndon, closer to Hammerlocke than Hop did. “You can stay at my place,” she offered.

“I have work tomorrow.”

“You’re the boss at the lab, same as Sonia.” Gloria rolled her eyes. “You can be late. I’m not luring you to my bed, just offering a sleepover, since it’s quite late.” She smiled. “Unless you'd rather stay someplace else, maybe even right here in Hammerlocke, Mr. I’m Not So Little?”

“You’re gonna hold it over me, aren't you?” Hop squeezed her arm.

“That’s what best friends are for.” Gloria shrugged. “I thought it was a cute attempt at flirting.”

“Fine, I’ll stay with you,” Hop replied, actually happy to spend more time with Gloria, especially after sitting next to his crush for the entire evening. “But you’ll order me a flying taxi to the lab tomorrow.”

“For getting a chance to visit Area Zero I’ll order you two taxis. One for you, one for Dubwool.”

“Wo… wool…” Dubwool shivered at the idea.

“Don’t worry, sweetie.” Hop immediately hugged his pokémon. “You’ll never have to take a taxi without me again.” Hop noticed Gloria’s puzzled gaze. “She once jumped out of a flying taxi looking for me,” he said. “A story for another time.”

“For later tonight, since we are having a sleepover,” Gloria replied with a smile. “Wanna fight before bed? My Toxtricity versus your Dubwool?”

“Dub!”

“Your neighbors must love you.” Hop shook his head, looking at his eager pokémon. “Sure, you’re on. Loser makes breakfast.”

Chapter Text

Hop started the day by waking up on Gloria’s couch, making breakfast (sausages, fried eggs, bacon, grilled tomatoes, beans, and toasted bread, served with tea). Maybe he wasn’t good at winning pokémon battles against Gloria, but he was so good at making delicious breakfast. After they ate, Gloria got him a taxi to his lab. Hop took a shower there and put on some fresh clothes as well as his lab coat. He liked to wear it even when he didn't work on tasks that actually required it. And Raihan seemed to like every pic of him wearing it, so…

After responding to his new emails (one of them with Bea’s feedback on one of the possible assistants she already fought in the morning) and running some preliminary tests of a new pokéball, Hop took a coffee break and looked at his social media feed. Sonia was working in the field today, researching the history of the Stow Diglett, as Hop and Gloria called it (and so did many others to tell the truth). And tomorrow they were all going to join Sonia and Leon in Stow-on-Side for the weekend.

Hop stopped scrolling when he saw a post with a picture of his yesterday’s dinner. Posted by Raihan, of course. A series of photos, actually, one of the table full of delicious food, Raihan’s selfie with a fancy drink, looking hot and friendly as always, another pic of all of them raising their glasses, and a final photo, of Raihan’s friends. Only parts of Gloria and Bea were visible, with Hop, unaware of the pic being taken (Raihan took too many pics for Hop to care about posing for them all), right in the middle of the picture, laughing at something somebody said, the top button of his black shirt opened, his cheeks flushed a bit.

“Wool?” asked Dubwool, brushing against her perplexed trainer.

“I’m fine. It doesn’t mean anything,” Hop answered. He opened one of his pokéballs, releasing Rillaboom, his big drummer pokémon he raised alongside Gloria’s Cinderace. “Rilla, sweetie. I have work for you. We’re going to try to destroy a pokéball.”

* * *

In the evening, Hop packed for the weekend and checked three times if he booked a correct train ticket. Then he felt like taking a pic with Dubwool and posting it, so he did. When he checked his phone after a shower, dressed just in a towel, his purple hair wet, he got some likes and comments already, many from people following him to admire his pokémon or his work or being interested in his life since that fight with Eternatus, whatever. One of the comments was from Raihan.

“Your Dubwool is so cute. Do you know the story about a dragon that demanded to be fed sheep?”

“What the fuck,” Hop said out loud. Then he searched for the story. It didn't help him much, it was a stupid story. The dragon, after eating many sheep, was deceived at some point and fed a sulfur-filled sheep, which started to burn him from the inside. The dragon then drank water until he popped.

Hop wondered what to say to that, when he saw a new comment from Leon.

“See you tomorrow, little bro!”

“I’m not even that much younger than you both,” Hop sighed. “And why does he write that as a comment on our pic, and not just text me?” he asked his pokémon.

“Woowool.”

“I know,” said Hop. “Goodnight, sweetie.” He let Dubwool out of his room, so she could join the rest of his pokémon in the garden, and went to bed. Before falling asleep, he imagined his black shirt being undone by Raihan and everything that followed.

* * *

The next day, Sonia and Leon were already waiting for all their guests at the train station in Stow-on-Side. Hop arrived with his favourite worn-out green bag, having packed change of clothes and other essentials. Amongst quests were many of Sonia and Leon’s friends, most of them involved with the Pokémon League, but not all. Hop didn't even know all of them. But he saw Gloria, Bede, Bea, Marnie and Piers, so he was happy. Raihan was there too, already chatting with Leon.

The day started with a picnic combined with lots of friendly pokémon battles. Hop won against Piers and lost against Bea. He wondered if challenging Raihan could be considered another cute attempt at flirting, as Gloria would have called it, but his pokémon were already all over the place, no longer interested in fighting and just playing with their friends, so he decided against it. 

Then they went to the hotel Leon booked, so everybody could refresh after many hours in the outside heat and get ready for dinner. Leon almost booked enough rooms, which Hop considered quite impressive. Wanting to help his brother deal with this mistake, Hop offered to share the room with Marnie and Piers.

“You would look even better with a choker,” said Piers, when the three of them were getting ready before dinner.

“It’s not really Hop’s style,” answered Marnie, stroking her chin. “Maybe a bit of eyeliner? Would make your eyes pop even more”

“Have I asked for your help?” asked Hop, wondering why his evening outfit (or his face!) needed any changes.

He put on nice brown shoes, tan trousers with a brown belt, and a navy sweater with a white shirt underneath. Perfect mix of casual and elegant for his older brother’s supposed engagement dinner.

“You can borrow one of my leather jackets,” offered Piers.

“I’ll do your eyes, just sit still.” Marnie reached for her bag.

“Okay, okay.” Hop stopped them both. “You both look amazing with your makeup and fancy black leather clothes, but I’m good.”

“Suit yourself.” Marnie scoffed.

The three of them left their room, meeting up with Gloria, Nessa and Melony in the hotel lobby. Soon the entire party was ready, so they went to the restaurant close by that Leon booked (this time with enough seats for everybody, as the former champion simply booked the entire restaurant just for them for the evening).

All pokémon were left at the hotel, most of them already sleeping or eating or playing with each other.

* * *

When all the guests ate their dinner and there came the time for another round of drinks before the dessert, Leon asked for everyone’s attention. 

“Here it comes,” Gloria whispered to Hop’s ear.

Raihan started recording.

“Everyone,” Leon started in his usual kind and excited manner. “Thank you all for being with us here tonight. It means the world to me to be surrounded by the people I love most as I take this next step in my life’s journey.”

Hop noticed Sonia raising her eyebrows. He wondered if she was really the only one who didn’t see this coming. Though, to be fair, she probably knew Leon was going to propose sooner or later, but maybe still got surprised in the moment. Hop would probably also be surprised at getting proposed to, even if his future boyfriend warned him in advance.

Hop looked at Raihan. Raihan somehow noticed his glance and winked at him. Hop smiled and looked back to his beloved brother. What a nice day it was.

“Now, I’d like to speak directly to the person who’s changed my life in every way - the love of my life, and now…” Leon stood up from his chair and then kneeled in front of Sonia. “My fiancée?” he added. “Will you marry me, Sonia?”

Sonia stood up, radiant with pleasant surprise and excitement. She laughed a bit, giving Gloria a side glance. But hey, her nails looked perfect.

“Yes,” Sonia replied, tears in her eyes. “I will.”

She accepted a beautiful ring made with white gold with an aquamarine set in the middle, surrounded by small diamonds. Then they kissed and hugged. Hop cheered, and so did the rest of the party. He might also have cried just a little bit.

“Smile,” said Raihan. “And show off the ring, Sonia.” He took a few pictures.

Hop noticed Sonia’s nails were silver and aquamarine, shining just like her ring. He turned to Gloria.

“Yeah, I’m that good at this,” she replied to the question he hasn’t asked yet.

“Leon showed you the ring.” Hop realized. His older brother always went an extra mile, especially regarding Sonia.

“Yup.” Gloria shrugged with a smile.

Not long after, the dessert and new drinks were served. Everybody was chatting, taking pictures, and congratulating the newly engaged couple.

“Congratulations, Leon, Sonia.” Raihan put his arm on Leon’s shoulders. “You make a perfect couple and this is a perfect next step,” he said. “Though you’re just lucky I didn’t make a move on Sonia first.”

“Dream on, Rai,” replied Leon. “Same as you can only dream about beating me in a pokémon battle.”

Hop noticed Raihan’s shoulders getting tense and his teal gaze getting cold. He walked up to the group and managed a friendly laugh.

“Though Raihan could probably beat you in a real fight,” Hop said, before he got a chance to realize that it was more of an idiotic compliment on Raihan’s well-toned body than an actual attempt to defuse the situation.

In Hop’s defense, even though Raihan usually wore his favourite loose dragon hoodie, his gym shorts did nothing to hide his muscular legs and Hop saw enough of Raihan’s shirtless selfies to see these perfect abs in his dreams.

“What is a real fight if not a pokémon fight, little bro?” Leon asked.

“Hop means a fist fight.” Raihan winked at Hop and it cost Hop everything not to blush. “And he is right,” Raihan added, his gaze once again focused on Leon.

“Is that so?” Leon crossed his arms and smiled. “Then let’s go outside, Rai, and-”

“No.” Sonia put her hand on Leon’s arm. “Stop it, the two of you.” She shook her head. “Leon, there are guests here who see you way less often than Raihan does, so please go entertain them for a while.”

“You’re right.” Leon kissed his fiancée, smiled at Raihan and Hop, and left to talk with Sonia’s family.

“And Raihan,” Sonia continued. “This is the last time you joked about making a move or being with me. I made my choice and I do not wish to hear such comments from anyone anymore, even from you.”

“I’m sorry, Sonia. I’ll stop.” Raihan calmed down, his body relaxed again, apology in his voice. “I’m very happy for both of you.”

“Thank you.” Sonia nodded. “And Hop.”

“Yeah…?” Hop started to regret approaching them in the first place.

“Why would you agitate Leon like that? You know how competitive he is.”

Hop smiled apologetically and scratched the back of his head. He did not know what to say to that, so he looked at Raihan, looking for some help.

“Yeah,” Raihan said playfully. “What did you do that for, Hop?” 

Hop opened his eyes wide with shock, for the first time ever thinking about murdering his crush.

“I’ll just go find Gloria, or something.” He quickly decided a good researcher knows when to run away. “Talk to you later!”

* * *

The dinner ended quite late, with everybody going back to the hotel or to their homes, if they happened to live in Stow-on-Side. Hop was back in the room he shared with Marnie and Piers. The siblings were not here yet, since they decided to spend a bit more time with their pokémon outside (the hotel had a vast garden meant to be used by guests’ pokémon).

Hop took off his shoes and sweater and poured himself a glass of water. The room was a bit messy, mostly due to the stuff the siblings brought and of course the pokémon eating here earlier. He thought about cleaning the room a bit, but then decided that lying in bed and checking any new articles about Area Zero was a more entertaining task.

He stood up when he heard knocking. He opened the door, seeing Leon in the corridor, happy as ever, giving him a hug before Hop had the time to react.

“Come in,” Hop said, when his older brother finally released him.

Leon sat on the couch and patted the space next to him. Hop sat down.

“Hop, there’s something I need to ask you about,” Leon said, all serious all of the sudden.

“I’m sorry I said that stupid thing about fighting-” Hop started, but Leon shook his head.

“About what?” He raised his eyebrows. “No, it’s not that.” He waved his hand. “Hop, I want you to be my best man.”

“Me? Not Raihan?”

“Of course!” Leon put both his hands on Hop’s shoulders. “I love Raihan like a brother! But I love you like an actual brother! He will help you with whatever it is the best man needs to do. But it could never be anyone else than you, Hop. What do you say, little bro?”

“What do I say?!” Hop stood up, too excited to keep sitting. “I accept! I will be the best best man you could have! And the best uncle!”

“Slow down with the uncle stuff for now.” Leon laughed awkwardly. “So…” he continued, looking up at Hop. “Will you be taking Gloria as your plus one? She is or course invited either way, Sonia and I were just wondering-”

“I wasn’t planning to…” Hop took a step back.

“No need to be shy, Hop.” Leon smiled, still sitting on the couch. “Even though you’ll always be my little brother, you’re an adult now. A handsome and smart young man. You’re welcome to bring a girl to the wedding, and since you and Gloria are so close-”

“Fuck this, Leon.” Hop clenched his fists. “I’m gay!”

“Hop…” A flicker of confusion crossed Leon’s face before it settled into shock.

“Arceus save me, you’ve all been driving me crazy,” Hop kept talking quickly, slight anger in his voice. “I know Gloria is perfect. Smart, brave, pretty. My best friend. I trust her with my life. And I can never win a single pokémon battle against her. So yeah, if she was a guy, I’d go for it a long time ago. But she’s not, so-”

“Oh, my little brother.” Leon’s shock passed, replaced by a gentle accepting smile. “I had no idea.” He stood up and walked up to Hop, who was now shaking. “I love you all the same, come here.”

Hop let himself be hugged, slowly loosening up in his brother’s loving embrace.

“Please don’t tell Sonia,” he mumbled.

“Hop, you know nobody will mind, we all love you.” Leon looked down at his brother. “But of course, it’s not up to me to tell anybody,” he promised. After a moment, a new excitement appeared in his golden eyes. “Now I’ll just have to help you find a cute guy instead-”

“Please don’t.”

“I just want my little bro to be happy.”

“When I find somebody that makes me happy, you’ll be the first one to know, okay?” Hop sighed, but he was now way calmer than he was just a few minutes before. “As long as you don’t try to help me.”

“Fine, deal,” Leon agreed begrudgingly. “But he’ll have to beat me at a pokémon battle to get my approval. I’d expect nothing less from him than I would from Gloria.”

“Fair enough.” Hop laughed. Then he hugged Leon, leaning into the hug and feeling so much lighter and happier already. Suddenly, he had no idea why he waited for so long to tell his brother the truth. “I love you so much, Leon.”

“I love you too.”

Chapter Text

Hop liked Mondays. In general and also this particular Monday. He was well-rested after a nice weekend with friends and family. The weather was good, so the walk from home to the lab was quite refreshing and pleasant. He bought some fruit for himself and Sonia on the way, and some fresh berries for his pokémon and Yamper.

Dubwool rolled alongside him, happy to get her fur wet with morning dew covering the grass. The hand-made friendship bracelet looked colorful on the pokémon’s leg, making Hop smile every time he glanced at it. They arrived at the lab, Hop opened the door with his key and let Dubwool inside the bright and spacious area.

Hop went to the kitchen, cleaned the fruit and berries and put them in bowls (a glass one for humans, plastic ones for pokémon). Then he made hot tea with milk and a simple sandwich with lettuce, ham, cheese, tomato slice, and some ground pepper sprinkled onto it.

He took off his favourite jeans jacket and put on his lab coat. He let Pincurchin and Silicobra out of their pokéballs (they immediately joined Dubwool and started eating fresh berries) and kept his Rillaboom inside for now, as he needed to focus and his drummer pokémon wasn’t too good at being silent. Snorlax, Corviknight, and Cramorant stayed at home, playing, flying and sleeping.

Hop took a sip of tea and a bite of the sandwich. He started going through files that awaited him in his mailbox. The maps of Area Zero were far from perfect (it was still mostly uncharted territory after all), but it looked like there were camping sites available inside the crater (apparently left by two professors who discovered the paradox phenomenon, though they both were now missing).

Hop stretched in his office chair. In three days, he was flying to Paldea, approved to enter Area Zero to catch and research paradox pokémon there. He had a week to spend inside the crater, and then was invited for another week of workshops and conferences focused on paradox pokémon, which he happily accepted. He just hoped he wouldn't become missing inside the crater, travel in time, or whatever else could happen there. Well, that’s why he was taking Gloria with him. Together they were always unstoppable.

“King and Queen of Galar.” Hop heard Sonia read from a newspaper, as she entered the lab. Yamper followed jer, yapping a hello to Hop and the pokémon. Then he of course joined the pokémon by the bowls with berries. “Our beloved Monarch finally engaged to his Queen,” Sonia continued. “An engagement party for the Pokémon League's elite.”

“Oh, the elite.” Hop smiled.

“Beloved former champion and renowned pokémon researcher, Galar’s favourite couple.” Sonia put the stack of the newspaper on the desk. “It’s stupid, but so cute, I just needed to buy them all.”

“We can cut out the articles and put them in an album,” Hop proposed. “Would make for a nice memory down the line.”

“I love it!” Sonia clapped her hands. “I’ll look for an album next time I’m shopping. Now I need to organise and analyse all my Diglett findings.” She sighed, clearly more excited about Hop’s ideas than about her work, though she was usually very excited about her work.

Hop grabbed one of the newspapers.

“First look at Sonia’s engagement ring,” he read. “Where did they get that from?” he asked Sonia, puzzled a bit.

“Raihan’s profile.” Sonia shrugged, clearly not minding anything.

“Right.”

They got to work, though Hop couldn't help but notice Sonia spending half her time looking at her engagement ring and playing with her hair, like she usually did when she was stressed or excited. Or both.

Hop smiled. He felt so light and happy, and stressed in not a bad way too. Life’s been simply so good right now.

And he also wasn't immune to distractions, as he opened his social media to look at Raihan’s posts from the last weekend. Some pics of picnic food, of course, then of Hop fixing Dubwool’s bracelet (it came loose after his pokémon rolled down a rocky hill during the picnic), various guests having pokémon battles, including both of Hop’s fights.

“Sili?” Hop’s sand snake pokémon looked at him with curiosity in her bright-green eyes.

“It’s nothing,” Hop replied, running his fingers through his purple hair. He showed the post to his pokémon. “See? Here’s you battling Piers’ Skuntank and winning. You did great then, Silicobra.”

“Sili!”

“And here’s Nessa looking like a supermodel she is, he just takes pics of everybody,” Hop added, patting his pokémon on the head. Silicobra showed him her tongue and slithered away to join Yamper, Dubwool and Pinchirn playing outside the lab.

Hop looked through his photos. He didn’t take that many last weekend and half of them were of Dubwool. But he found one pic of himself with Leon and Sonia that he liked, so he posted it with a cheerful note about his older brother's engagement. It immediately started getting likes and comments, probably due to Leon’s fans scouting social media for more information on this latest development.

In the middle of the day, Sonia brought them a takeout lunch, which they ate together in the kitchen, talking about Paldea region, the upcoming wedding and their current workload. Then they both spend some time helping young trainers who arrived at the lab with questions, in need of help, or trying to earn their first partner pokémon.

Hop absolutely loved helping the new trainers choose their first pokémon and he always made sure the lab was well equipped in that regard (meaning that at least once per quarter he and Gloria spent a day in the wild area catching beginner-friendly pokémon that Hop could distribute later).

Close to the end of the working day, Hop put on his gray wide rimmed glasses and focused on the details of a blueprint for the new pokéball he’s been testing (it survived Rillaboom, but Hop wasn’t happy with the way it closed when used by a human). When he was done annotating, he looked at the clock, noticing it was high time to get back home and feed his other three pokémon. He saved all the files and cleaned up his desk.

Before leaving his working space, Hop picked up a leaflet about Ten Sights of Paldea that he found at Hammerlocke train station. He hoped to have some time during the second week of his trip to take Gloria to at least some of those places.

Hop took a selfie, holding up the leaflet, his glasses and coat still on, and posted it with a note about his upcoming trip to Paldea.

“Sonia,” he said, picking up his jeans jacket and his green bag. “Next two days I’ll work from home, I need to train with my pokémon a bit before Area Zero. Please take care of my work during the next week, I’ve sent you a handover.”

“Sure thing.” Sonia nodded, also ready to go to her home in Postwick soon. “Please text us from the crater if there’s any connection there.”

“Will do. See you later, Yamper.”

“Yam, Yamp!”

“And you have fun, both of you.” Sonia smiled. “You won't know what article to write first once you are back. So many mysteries there to yet uncover.”

“I wonder what paradox pokémon I'll manage to catch,” Hop replied. “They limit it to three empty pokéballs per entry.”

“Then you better take some of our pokéballs.”

“Good idea.”

They hugged and said their goodbyes. Hop went to the lab’s little storage room before leaving, opening a box with empty pokéballs stored inside.

He decided to take a heavy ball (even the limited data available showed that some of the paradox pokémon are on the bigger side), a timer ball (let’s be honest, they won’t get caught without a fight), and an ultra ball (because they were Raihan’s favourites, so it felt nice for Hop to grab one).

* * *

At home, Hop fed his pokémon, then played with them and groomed them (brushing Dubwool, Rilaboom and Snorlax, gently bathing Corviknight and Cramorant, planting fresh seaweed in the little pond in his garden for Pincurchin, and bringing a new bag of sand outside for Silicobra to dig into). By the end of the evening, he felt tired and sweaty, his shirt needing a wash and him needing a shower.

“Tomorrow we train,” he announced to his pokémon. “We must all be ready for Area Zero. You all better get a good night's sleep.”

“Pincu!” replied his sea urchin pokémon, content and excited. The rest of the pokémon followed, hugging their trainer, squeezing him in between them.

After the longed-for shower, Hop ate a late night snack (cottage cheese with crackers and cherry tomatoes) and went to bed, wearing soft purple pyjama shorts, ready to relax and check his phone.

He looked at the long-term weather forecast for Medali (a town next to their destination airport in the Paldea region, located not far from the entrance to the Great Crater of Paldea), checked updates on his friends’ social media and pokémon research groups, and looked at funny videos that were sent to him.

After all of that, finding himself in the mood for some pleasure before sleep, Hop opened an adult site and started searching for a video that would appeal to him (which usually took more time than actually watching a chosen video).

“Or we could look at that photoshoot Raihan and Nessa did a year ago for promotion of the Hulbury Aquarium,” said his Rotom Phone, snarky mischief in its voice.

“What the fuck!” Hop screamed, throwing his phone across the room.

The Rotom Phone immediately started hovering in the middle of the room, avoiding crashing against the floor.

“I’m just trying to help, boss,” it added, flying in circles above the bed.

“You shouldn’t even-” Hop was too flabbergasted to form a coherent sentence. “Is it even allowed-” He tried to catch his phone, to no avail. “You cannot make comments like that!”

“I couldn't help myself.” Rotom Phone turned its playful eyes to its owner.

“How do you even know-”

“I know everything about your search history,” replied Rotom Phone, now chased by Hop across the room. “And even how long any photo is open.”

“That’s it, you little fucker!” Hop shouted, though he also couldn't help but laugh a little, both embarrassed and dumbfounded. “Go sleep in the microwave and leave me alone!”

“Fine!” replied rotom, leaving the phone, which immediately fell onto Hop’s bed. Now the tiny plasma pokémon levitated next to the bedroom’s door, still in a naughty mood. “You have some fun now, boss,” it added, right before Hop threw a pillow at it.

“Dear Arceus, give me strength.” Hop shut the door and got back to bed. He looked at his phone cautiously and after deciding it was now safe from rotom’s snarky presence, he reopened the website.

He scrolled past videos that looked like they were too much (or not enough) for him, finally deciding on something that seemed hot and just the right amount of kinky.

He held his phone in one hand and moved the other hand across his body, sliding down his pants and reaching for his cock, ready to touch himself while watching two guys go at it. He wondered, not for the first time, how someone else's touch would feel on his naked body. And that someone had a name.

Chapter Text

Hot water pouring down heavily from the shower head was making all the bathroom mirrors steamy and leaving his brown skin just a little bit red. It was a spacious bathroom and the shower could easily fit three people, which was useful, when you wanted to take a shower with another person or two, which he sometimes did, but the actual reason it needed to be this big was the size of his pokémon.

After a demanding day of training, battling and interviewing (combined with a photoshoot for Galar at Battle, a popular magazine for fans of pokémon battling), he liked nothing better than a long hot shower. As a leader of Hammerlocke Gym, Raihan didn’t fight challengers very often (after all, they first needed to get seven other badges and then win against three of Raihan’s underlings), but when he did, those were some of the best new trainers Galar had to offer.

Raihan scheduled three such challenger fights for today, making the rare pokémon battle marathon a perfect opportunity to raise funds for a new pokémon sanctuary just outside of Hulbury that he and Nessa were working on for the last few months.

Though it felt like Raihan overdone it a little this time, battling with the same six pokémon three times in a row basically without a break. He won the first two fights, but lost the third one, after battling down to the last of his tired pokémon. He had to award a dragon badge to an ambitious young trainer from Turffield.

Raihan turned off the water and left the steaming hot shower, grabbing a towel, using it to dry his hair and then putting it on his waist. He opened the bathroom door.

The rest of his apartment was just as spacious as the bathroom. It encompassed most of the top floor of one of Hammerlocke’s most beautiful historic apartment buildings. Raihan could see the Hammerlocke Gym and the rest of Hammerlocke’s familiar skyline from his living room windows.

“Duraludon!” Raihan called, his drying hair still loose along his wet cheeks and neck. “Your turn, buddy!”

“Dura,” replied Raihan’s beautiful alloy pokémon, stopping his lazy playtime with Gigalith and taking slow steps towards the bathroom.

Duraludon’s metal skin was covered in dirt and light scratches (which for a pokémon with a body composed of a metal that’s lightweight and scratch resistant, really meant a hard day at work). His body was even dented at places.

“You fought so well today.” Raihan patted Duraludon’s thick neck, feeling the beloved warm metal under his skin.

Duraludon’s body was prone to retaining heat and he vented this heat from the slits in his tail, which often caused any heat-loving pokémon to sit behind him.

“Sorry for making you dynamax three times in one evening.” Raihan invited Duraludon to the bathroom. “Let me make it up to you by giving you a proper bath. Hop in!”

“Ludon!” The pokémon didn’t have to be asked twice. He followed his trainer to the shower and sat there with a smile, enjoying a well-deserved break.

Measuring 1.8 meters (5'11"), Duraludon was almost as tall as Raihan, and he surely was way broader than his trainer, fitting in the shower with just enough space left for a human to give him a bath.

Raihan opened a bathroom cabinet with all his pokémon health and beauty products. Taking good care of pokémon such as Duraludon, Gigalith, Flygon, Goodra, and Turtonator wouldn’t be an easy task even for a trainer who wasn’t interested in pokémon battles, so for a gym leader it was basically a part-time job. At work, Raihan often relied on help from other trainers (who bend over backwards to impress their cherished gym leader), but he always made sure to give enough care and attention to his pokémon at home.

Raihan’s sixth pokémon was a Sandaconda, but that one, compared to his other pokémon, was an easy one to make happy. All his Sandaconda wanted was sand. A lot of sand. It was a known fact that if a Sandaconda ever runs out of sand, it becomes disheartened. And yes, a quarter of Raihans’s terrace was taken up by a sandpit Leon helped him build.

So now Raihan treated Duraludon’s wounds with healing potions and used the fanciest shower gels and polishes available for steel pokémon (some of it approved by Galar's own Wedgehurst lab, which really expanded its influence since Hop joined Sonia and then became a professor himself). Raihan rinsed pampered Duraludon with lukewarm water and finished its bath by meticulously applying a layer of protective varnish all over the pokémon’s metal body.

“Looking handsome, buddy,” said Raihan once Duraludon was all shine and polish. “Selfie time!”

Raihan’s Rotom Phone flew up from the bathroom counter and snapped a pic of Raihan hugging his pokémon, both smiling at the camera, Raihan’s naked chest perfectly visible and looking amazing (the Rotom Phone always knew what its owner wanted).

Raihan tied up his hair and put on some sweatpants and spent the rest of his evening tending to his pokémon. He made sure they were all happy and healthy after the day of battling, and prepared a late dinner for all of them, using only the best quality pokémon food, fresh berries and healthy supplements (different ones for each of his pokémon, as they were all at least partially different types with different needs). For his own dinner, Raihan reheated some takeout leftovers from yesterday.

Most of the pokémon ate at the terrace, only Goodra preferred to leave her favourite place at the terrace to join her beloved trainer by the dining table. And yes, an inflatable pool Raihan bought for his Goodra took up another quarter of the terrace, leaving just half of the space for use by humans who might have wanted to have a barbecue or a beer at lounge chairs. Though Goodra never minded if any of her trainer’s guests wanted to use her pool.

“Goo!” Goodra ate her food and then reached for her trainer with her pink slimy hands.

“No more hugs today, buddy,” said Raihan apologetically. “I just took a shower.”

“Goodra…” The pokémon’s big green eyes looked at Raihan with playful sadness.

Raihan’s very friendly dragon pokémon loved hugs, always leaving Raihan’s clothes and skin covered in sticky slime. That’s why he always made sure to hug his big cute snail-like creature a lot before taking a shower, even though she apparently never had enough.

* * *

Done with all his tasks, but not willing to go to bed before midnight, Raihan laid down on the couch, tv on, playing an action movie starring an Inteleon. He scrolled through his social media, smiling at hundreds of likes and comments under his latest selfie, many of them offering help with polishing his Duraludon.

“Gloria calling. Gloria calling.” The Rotom Phone displayed a goofy pic of the champion (Raihan took it after Gloria tasted a particularly sour snack in the Hammerlocke Gym’s lobby).

“What’s up?” Raihan asked, putting his hand under his head and having the phone hover in front of him. “Torkoal’s Lava Plume, are you at the hospital?!” He didn’t lay down for long, standing up the moment he realized where Gloria was calling him from. “Need me to come?”

“No, no.” Gloria smiled. “All good.”

“What happened?”

“I broke a leg during a max raid battle…” Gloria said, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “I know, I know.” She laughed at Raihan’s shocked expression. Her main pokémon partner, Cinderace, was sitting next to her. “Less experienced trainers did something stupid, I needed to make sure they wouldn’t get hurt-”

“So you got hurt instead.”

“Basically.” Gloria sighed. “Don’t make that face, you would help them too.”

“Yeah, but I wouldn't break a leg doing so,” said Raihan, sticking out his tongue at the camera.

Cinderace responded in kind, making Gloria laugh at both of them.

“It’s just a chip fracture. Everything will be fine.” She patted her partner on his fluffy head. “Good thing it’s not the tournament season, I can rest.”

“You should. Do you need me to take you home?”

“No, thanks.” Gloria shook her head. “Piers and Marine are coming to get me. That’s not why I’m calling.”

“Just wanted to see me?” Raihan smiled and then bit his lip, fully aware the champion could see he was shirtless.

Gloria smirked.

“The Paldea Crater,” she said, giving him a moment to process her words.

“Fuck.”

“Exactly. I cannot go with Hop. The flight is in two days. I wanted to ask if you’ll go. You just took care of three challengers in one day, so it’s going to be some time before another one earns a battle with you. And even if they do, they can wait. Helping Hop is more important.”

Raihan was silent for a moment. He sat down and scratched his cheek.

“Is that a good idea?” he asked.

“Leon will kill you if something happens to Hop. Seems to me like a good motivation to ensure his trip is safe and successful.” Gloria shrugged with a cheeky smile.

“Right…” Raihan thought about some of the implications of going on a trip alone with Hop. “Well, he needs a good battler by his side if he wants to catch one of those paradox pokémon, they’re supposed to be quite strong. And I haven’t been to Paldea yet.”

“Thank you so much!“ Gloria shouted, causing a nurse to shush her. “Sorry.” She looked back at the camera. “I’ll call him and let him know what happened. And I’ll text you the details after.” Gloria decided and then noticed Raihan’s sleepy Goodra looking into the camera. “Oh, hello, honey!”

“Goodra, good!” The pokémon waved her slimy hand at Gloria.

“You’ll pay me back by visiting and playing with her once you’re better,” said Raihan.

“I’ll make sure to bring a change of clothes,” Gloria replied. “Thank you, Raihan.”

Raihan fell on the couch. He got some more likes and comments on his latest post during the call with Gloria, one of the likes being from Hop. No comment from him though.

Raihan started absentmindedly petting Goodra, who laid down on the floor next to him. He opened Hop’s profile and started scrolling. Damn, you scrolled far enough and you could see Dubwool still being Wooloo and younger Hop challenging Galar gyms alongside Gloria.

Raihan bit his lip. He always took pride in being a good reader of others’ feelings towards him. He noticed even the smallest hints of interest from other people. And, assuming it wasn't a fan or a subordinate and it was someone he liked and found attractive, he never missed a chance to make a move and then enjoy a nice date or a passionate night (or both).

So unless his skills stopped working, it really looked like Hop’s childhood admiration (Raihan was always aware that Leon’s little brother admired his brother the most, but was also fascinated by his brother’s biggest rival) became an actual crush. Raihan noticed Hop’s occasional eager glances or small changes in his tone and body language when they talked.

It just didn’t add up. Raihan used to think Gloria and Hop were a couple up until a year or so ago. They always did everything together. And they still did, every chance they got. Then Raihan realized they most probably weren’t a couple as he would get a confirmation from Gloria or Leon by now, so he kind of assumed they were best friends who sometimes slept with each other.

But maybe they were simply best friends? Then, did Gloria break her leg on purpose to help Hop get some time alone with him?! She could have just asked.

Damn, he might be good at noticing willing men and women, but he had no idea if Hop even liked men or women or both. Or maybe he wasn’t interested in those things at all. Raihan just didn’t really think of Hop in that way in the past, it only started quite recently, after he attended Hop’s professorship inauguration ceremony.

The eight or so years age difference between them really felt smaller now. When Raihan and Leon were young adults, spending their days pitting Goomy against Dreepy or Trapinch against Charmander, Hop was just his best rival’s annoying little brother, a stupid kid that sometimes tagged along.

Now Hop was in his mid twenties, having reached Champion Cup Finals and having saved Galar from Rose’s stupidity. Everyday he was inspiring kids in Galar to become pokémon researchers when they grow up, publishing his own scientific work, and giving eloquent interviews in that lab coat of his (sometimes even wearing well-fitting glasses). Simply being someone Raihan wouldn’t say no to. Under different circumstances of course. Raihan never messed with fans or subordinates and he probably should add his best friend's younger brother to the top of that list.

“Fuck!” Raihan screamed, scaring his sleepy Goodra, when he liked one of Hop’s old pictures by accident. Hop was showing off his Fire Badge, looking cute, happy and tired.

“Goo?” asked the pokémon, poking her trainer’s leg.

“I should just go to bed.”

Raihan wondered if it would be worse to unlike the pic, which would probably show Hop that he liked it and then obviously unliked it, or if he should just own his stupidity and maybe even double down on it by liking more of Hop’s old posts.

Fuck, he should just stop thinking of Hop that way, even if the attractive young professor really seemed interested in him. Though, woouldn’t it be fucking hot, actually, to fuck his biggest rival’s younger brother? Or maybe that was just Raihan’s late night horniness talking.

“Right.” Raihan remembered something on the way to his bed. “Call Nessa”.

His Rotom Phone connected him with the Hulbury Stadium’s leader. She picked up after a while, dressed in a navy dressing gown, her hair let loose, ready to go to sleep.

“Ness, I won’t be able to visit on Thursday,” said Raihan, kind apology in his voice. “I need to fly with Hop to Paldea.”

If Nessa thought this update could wait until tomorrow morning, she didn’t show.

“Since when do you and Hop travel together?” she asked instead. “Is Leon going?”

“Actually, no, just the two of us,” Raihan replied. “Unless he is now arguing with Gloria.” Then he quickly explained the whole situation. He kissed Goodra goodnight and reached the bed in the meantime. Goodra joined the rest of Raihan’s pokémon sleeping at the terrace.

“Fine.” Nessa sighed and seemed to think for a moment. “Then come here tonight.”

“Tonight?” Nessa’s proposition and bossy tone caused Raihan to raise his eyebrows. “It’s gonna take over an hour for me to get there now and-”

Raihan stopped talking, when Nessa simply let her gown slide down her arms, revealing her beautiful naked body underneath. She didn’t say anything, just looked at Raihan with her cold blue eyes.

“Right.” Raihan nodded. “I’ll take a flying taxi. See you soon.”

“Good boy.” Nessa winked and dropped the call.

Chapter Text

Hop arrived at the Galarian airport way earlier than necessary. He checked in his baggage, went through security and then through additional pokémon security, getting his pokéballs checked and put in a flight-approved sealed box.

Now he was sitting at a cafe, drinking overpriced coffee and eating an overpriced sandwich. He took out his Rotom Phone and opened his chat with Gloria.

“How could you do this to me,” Hop whispered, typing. “And send.”

The answer came quickly.

“I’m so sorry. You’re gonna do amazing either way, Hop. And you might even thank me later. But I swear, it was an accident.”

“Even Leon wouldn’t be so stupid to do something like that on purpose,” Hop replied, adding a smiley face. Then he heard a familiar (and, let’s be honest, quite fucking sexy) voice.

“Hop!” Raihan approached the cafe. He was wearing his usual dragon hoodie, but this time he had long black sweatpants on, ready to sit comfortably on the plane. He carried a heavy navy bag with gold accents and his gym’s logo (black and blue dragon icon with red accents).

“He’s here, I’ll text later.” Hop put his phone in the pocket, relieved that his rotom was back to normal and silent most of the time.

“Hi,” said Raihan, taking a seat by Hop’s table.

“Hi.” Hop smiled, not sure why he felt a bit shy all of the sudden.

Actually, Hop wondered if Raihan knew that he knew that Raihan liked a few of his old pics in the middle of the night two days ago (Hop got notifications when he stayed late reading about Paldea).

Hop realized it was a different thing entirely to see your crush during bigger gatherings or at work, than to have just the two of you go on a trip to another region. And the trip was going to include a long trek to the bottom of a mysterious crater. Dear Arceus, it would be so much easier and less stressful to do it with Gloria.

Hop wanted to start a conversation, when he heard his Rotom Phone.

“Sonia calling.”

“You better take that,” Raihan said and then he went to buy a coffee.

“Yes?” Hop picked up.

“Are you at the airport?” Sonia asked. “When’s the flight? All good? Leon keeps asking, but he cannot find his phone.”

“Yes, we’re both at the airport.” Hop looked at Raihan smiling at the cafe clerk. “The flight is in an hour.”

“Such a shame about Gloria,” Sonia said. “I hope she gets better soon. Will you be okay there with Raihan? Does he even know how to set up a tent?”

“I know how to set up a tent,” Hop replied, shaking his head. “I did it a million times when traveling with Gloria. And I’m a better cook than her when it comes to camping food.”

“Fancy something sweet?” Raihan asked, bringing back a cup of coffee for himself (Hop still had his own) and two pieces of chocolate cake with strawberries on top.

“Sonia, I’ll be fine. I need to go. Hug Leon from me.”

“And from me!” Raihan added, before Hop closed the call.

“Thank you.” Hop accepted the cake. He loved chocolate cake and strawberries. Well, either Raihan saw it somewhere on his social media, or remembered Hop mentioning it during a party, or it was a total coincidence and Hop was just overthinking it.

“All good?” Raihan asked, digging into his cake.

“Yes,” Hop replied, looking at Raihan digging into his cake.

Hop decided he really had to get it together, it was a work trip and he dreamed about going to Area Zero ever since he first heard about it. Not even this hot dragon tamer was going to fuck it up for him.

“So, what will we be dealing with?” Raihan asked, looking eager to learn. “What’s known about those paradoxes and which ones we will be hunting for?”

Hop smiled and started talking, his voice quickly becoming passionate, his heart enjoying how attentive Raihan was. Busy with planning and talking about paradox pokémon and tera shards (material used for terastallization, a Paldean fenomen to match Galarian dynamaxing), they only realized what time it was when they were called through speakers (by their names) to please come to their gate, as the plane was not going to wait for them any longer.

* * *

Several hours later, they arrived at the Paldean airport and then took a cab to Medali. Both Hop and Raihan were impressed by town’s high number of restaurants and food chains they had never heard about before. The local food looked and smelled so good. It took them a good half an hour to decide where to eat before continuing their travel to Area Zero Laboratory and its Zero Gate.

Area Zero Laboratory was built a short walk from Zero Gate (and the only way to the protected and fenced gate was through the lab). It was a new building and a new laboratory, all white and silver and glass, clean and rather inviting, though Hop preferred the warm and green feel of his lab at Wedgehurst.

The lab had a waiting room (with tera shard exhibitions), guards, and a receptionist, who waved at them immediately.

“Professor Hop and my assistant, Raihan.” Hop introduced himself and showed his credentials as well as the invitation to the lab and Area Zero.

“We were expecting you, professor,” the receptionist answered. Then she looked up at Hop’s assistant. “Raihan, the dragon tamer?”, she asked, her eyebrows raised. “Hammerlocke Gym Leader?”

“In the flesh,” Raihan replied, his chin high and his hands on his hips.

“Working as an assistant? To such a young professor?”

“I only hire the best,” Hop replied, winking at Raihan.

“Okay then…” The receptionist smiled and unlocked a drawer in her desk. “Here are your passes. They will open the stations inside the crater that are good spots to spend the night or make a camp for the day.” She also did something on her computer. “I’ve just sent all the instructions and available data to your phones. More detailed than what we shared in advance and some of it classified.” Lastly, she handed them several pages of rules and agreements. “Please read them and sign here.”

After all formalities were completed, Hop and Raihan were escorted by two guards to the inner rooms of the lab (Hop noticed that all guards had several pokéballs and guns at the ready) and were introduced to residing professors and assistants. After a few conversations, they were ready to go to Area Zero, where they were once again escorted by their two guards.

“Do you have trouble here often?” Raihan asked, glancing at the guns, once they were outside the lab.

“Often enough,” a male guard answered. “Attempts at unauthorized entry by Naranja students of course-”

“We just bring them home and tell them to study hard so they can come here in the future,” a female guard added, noticing Hop’s concerned look.

“But the real issue,” the male guard continued, “are poachers looking to catch and sell paradox pokémon Arceus knows to whom.”

“And do shitty stuff to them.” The woman frowned. “Area Zero Lab operates the same way the other officially registered pokémon labs do. No pokémon are getting hurt here.”

“And we won’t allow anyone to hurt them,” said the man. “Here, a flare. If anything happens in a place with no signal, use it and someone will come for you as soon as possible. The flare will fly high enough, plus we have some cameras set up at the highest level of the crater.”

“Thank you.” Hop accepted the flare and put it in his bag.

They reached the Zero Gate and were asked by two other guards there to show and use their passes to access the elevator to the crater.

“Damn, it's even more exciting than I thought,” Raihan whispered.

And then they were alone in the spacious elevator. Two cameras on the ceiling, at least a minute of travel, and then the door opened to show them the highest level of the crater.

The landscape opened into a lush green expanse, surrounded by rocky cliffsides, crystal-clear waterfalls and towering trees, their leaves shimmering in sunlight. The air felt fresh and cool, no people and pokémon in sight, just wild, yet calm and soothing nature.

Sunbeams were breaking through canopies and rocky formations, illuminating patches of the grass in golden light. Below, a light blue and purple shine of crystal depths illuminated undersides of cliffsides, promising things mysterious and unnatural hiding beneath the lush green.

“It’s beautiful,” Hop said, admiring the magical view, and then resting his gaze on Raihan’s face, his dark skin glowing in raw sunlight.

“Duraludon.” After a longer moment, Raihan reached for one of his pokéballs. “Come out and see this.”

The alloy pokémon stood between them, looking around in awe, eager to explore the area alongside his trainer.

“Dubwool, sweetie, you too.” Hop let out his sheep pokémon.

Dubwool, instead of standing between the trainers, alongside Duraludon, immediately started rolling happily down the grassy hill, well on her way to maybe stop on some rocks, maybe fall to lower levels of the crater.

Hop screamed and started running after Dubwool to catch her.

“He should’ve seen that coming.” Raihan smiled and looked at Duraludon.

“Ludon.” The pokémon nodded in agreement.

* * *

After Dubwool was rescued by Hop (Hop was so out of breath after his panicked chase), they kept walking (Dubwool back in her pokéball, replaced by Corviknight), admiring the area, looking at the few pokémon they met there (Jumpluff floating all around them, Floettes holding white flowers, Floatzel surrounded by Buizels, playing under waterfalls), and talking about what they could expect deeper in the crater.

After several hours of travel and a snack break, they were close to reaching the station that was supposed to wait for them at the end of the green expanse, their last stop before crystal underdepths of the crater.

Hop was in charge of the map (he was good at directions after years of making sure Leon didn’t get lost everywhere he went) and Corviknight helped her trainer with scouting, ensuring the road was safe.

Raihan was walking a few steps behind Hop, hands in pockets, Duraludon next to him. It was getting dark, sunlight replaced by moonlight from the above and crystal glow from the below.

Hop was sure that thanks to his great wayfinding, they would reach the station just on time, before the entire area fell into darkness of the night.

“This place is so romantic at night,” Raihan said, his voice low, enticing, “that I’m starting to wonder if this really is just a work trip, professor.”

Hop slowed down, his golden eyes wide and sparkling, his heart skipping a beat at the sound of Raihan’s voice, so quiet and so loud in this dark vast space. He got flustered for a moment, but then he quickly realized that two could play this game and he wasn’t going to let Raihan win that easily.

“Fuck you, calling me professor,” he replied, “like it doesn't turn you on just to say it.”Now that stopped Raihan in his tracks. Figuratively and literally. Hop looked back and bit his lip. Raihan’s teal eyes were wide open, but the shock was underlined with wild eagerness that made Hop feel a shiver run down his spine.

“Damn,” Raihan recovered quickly. “Leon’s little brother’s got some teeth.”

Hop kind of wanted to escalate this further, when he noticed what looked like the first station.

“That's where we’ll spend the night,” he said. “Corviknight, please check the area around the station.”

“Corvi!”

“Sounds good.” Raihan nodded, observing the flying pokémon, whose black feathers made her hard to see in the moonlight. “There’s really no other light here than this shine from the depths.”

“Tera shards,” Hop replied. “Remember, we’re allowed to gather some.”

“What do you think, Duraludon?” Raihan put his arm on his alloy pokémon. “Want to get terastallized?”

“Dura!”

A few minutes later, after Corviknight confirmed the area was clear, Hop used his pass to open the automatic door to the station building. The station was made mostly out of metal, looking very out of place in the green area of the crater. The inside was quite spacious, equipped with a kitchenette, a bathroom, and a computer station.

“Now that’s just perfect,” said Raihan, laughing at something.

Hop followed Raihan’s gaze. He quickly realized what his brother’s best friend was looking at. The station was equipped with several monitors and other electronics, and yet there was only one bed placed by the wall, its red duvet contrasting with the grey and blue colors of the rest of the space.

“Do I let Leon’s little brother take the bed and I sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor,” Raihan continued, “or do I call dibs on the bed and make Leon’s little brother ask for my permission to join me in the bed to avoid the cold metal floor?”

“It’s Professor Hop to you,” Hop answered, doing his best to keep steady. “And you can ask for my permission to join me, assisstant.”

“Oh, I see.” Raihan grinned. “Well then, Professor Hop, mind if I join you in bed, so we can both get a good night’s rest?”

Well, fuck, Hop didn't expect Raihan to actually ask. Was Raihan kidding? Just teasing him? Raihan was just fucking with him, wasn’t he? He was just fucking around.

Hop decided there was only one way to find out.

“I’ll allow it,” he replied.

Before Raihan could continue the discussion, Hop let all of his pokémon out of his pokéballs, and started unpacking his bag. “I’ll make dinner for us, you feed and play with our pokémon. You can do it outside, I’ll turn on the station’s outside lights.”

“You got it, Professor Hop,” Raihan answered after a moment, his voice obedient, yet steamy. Or maybe Hop just imagined it. After Raihan prepared pokémon food and went outside, Hop started using the station’s kitchenette and preparing the food very slowly, as he suddenly didn’t feel ready to actually end the day and go to bed.

Chapter Text

The smell of delicious hot curry filled the station and barely left space for anything else. It was late dinner time. Pokemon were back in their pokéballs for the night, as the station, even though spacious, was still just a one room building not big enough for thirteen pokémon and two humans to spend the night comfortably.

Raihan’s eyes were sparkling, looking at a plate of spicy cheese-covered curry. The dish was slow-simmered and generously spiced, featuring chunks of vegetables and berries. At the top, there was a warm blanket of melted cheese, creamy and rich.

“Damn,” Raihan said, after he moaned with delight at the first bite of the meal. “Leon always said that you were a great cook, but you’re even better than that!”

“He did?” Hop felt warmth filling his body.

“Yeah, every time we ate somewhere together, basically.” Raihan was talking and eating at the same time, hunger turning into happiness. “I kept telling him to invite me to your home, while you still lived together, but he just kept-”

“Forgetting,” Hop finished Raihan’s sentence, nodding. “That’s Leon for you.”

“Please say we’ll be eating this every day.”

“I brought enough ingredients to make curry for us every day,” Hop answered, also eating, but mostly admiring bliss on Raihan’s face, “but cheese is just for today, tomorrow I’ll use something different.”

“That's even better!” Raihan replied, still devouring the steamy curry. “I love you, Hop.”

“Oh, you do?” Hop asked, a cheeky undertone in his voice.

Raihan’s face has gotten just a little bit red, though it might have been caused by the spices. With his mouth full, he was slow to snap back.

“Like a friend,” he answered, focused on the curry.

Hop smiled.

“Then I’m glad to be promoted to your friend from Leon’s little brother.”

And that made Raihan stop eating and actually look a bit shy for a second. Hop couldn’t help but feel both satisfaction and a hint of a thrill, steamy as the curry.

Raihan finished eating, cleared his throat and stood up from the table.

“I’ll clean the dishes, you go get ready for bed, professor.”

Hop bit his lip, realizing that Raihan clearly didn’t get flustered enough, if he was still in the mood to say Hop’s title in that suggestive tone of his, especially after Hop already called him out on it earlier today.

In the shower, Hop enjoyed getting fresh and clean after the long day, but he was also stressing out about leaving the bathroom. Maybe he should just make his snorlax sleep in the room and use his soft sleeping pokémon as a bed.

“Get it together,” he said to himself, letting warm water pour down his body. “It’s like a dream come true, try to enjoy it, even if nothing ever comes out of it.”

Leaving the shower, Hop wondered if he actually wanted something to come out of it? And if he did, what exactly? It was fun to fantasize about sleeping with your crush, but Hop didn’t feel comfortable to actually sleep with Raihan and then just move on from that. Fuck, really, fuck Gloria for getting her leg broken.

The kitchenette was clean, all dishes done, bags packed, ready to be picked up tomorrow. Raihan was sitting on the bed, waiting for his turn in the shower, posting pictures from the trek through the first level of the crater.

“Posting any candid photos of me again?” Hop asked, drying out his hair with a towel, dressed in purple pyjama shirt and knee-length pants.

“I am,” Raihan replied unapologetically, showing his phone to Hop. “You’re so photogenic, it would be a shame not to share these pics.”

Hop looked at a picture Raihan must have taken at the beginning of their travel through the green expanse. The pic showed a waterfall and tall trees in the background, and Hop hugging Dubwool in the forefront, both of them glowing in a beam of sunlight.

“Well…” Hop wondered what he could even say to that. “Don’t sit on the bed in your dirty clothes,” he decided to say. “Go put your clothes in the washer and turn it on, it will dry them by tomorrow.”

“Do you want me to take off my clothes right now?” Raihan asked, looking up at Hop.

“Just go take a shower, I’m going to sleep.” Hop tried to stay indifferent. He jumped on the bed next to Raihan. Yet, looking at the bigger man, Hop suddenly felt a bit bolder than he did a second ago. “Or you can take them off right now, I don’t mind,” he said, laying on his side, leaning on his elbow.

Raihan stood up, smiled, and started to slowly unzip his hoodie.

“You cook a guy one delicious curry dinner and you expect him to jump naked into your bed?” he asked, in jest yet saucy, taking off his hoodie, revealing a tight shirt below, buttoned all the way up. He undid the first button, his teal gaze fixed on Hop.

“Okay, okay! Stop it!” Hop shouted, hiding his face in his hands. He lost this, whatever the fuck they’ve been doing today, so spectacularly. Well, better to concede and get to live another day, than to die of shame and arousal because of your older brother’s friend.

“As you wish, professor,” Raihan decided to kick Hop when he was down. He smiled at Hop’s embarrassment and grabbed his hoodie. “See you soon,” he added, and went to the bathroom.

* * *

The rest of the night felt like a fever dream to Hop. In the morning, he remembered Raihan coming back from the bathroom, his hair loose, only navy sweatpants on, and asking Hop, all serious for a change, if he was really fine sharing the bed, to which Hop mumbled a confirmation. He remembered the warmth of Raihan’s body behind him, smell of patchouli and ginger, and the amazing feeling of Raihan unconsciously putting his arm around Hop’s waist and how good it felt to fall asleep like that.

They haven’t talked much when getting ready to leave the station. Duraludon and Corviknight were scouting the area leading to crystal levels of the crater, Goodra was ensuring every pokémon ate their berries for breakfast, Hop was making notes on his work laptop, and Raihan, his hair already back in these five spikes of his, was finishing his sandwich and keeping an eye on their pokémon.

Hop sent an email with an update to Sonia and put his laptop in his bag.

“Area Zero, here we come!” he said, once they both left the station, their pokémon running all around them (and Hop’s Snorlax sleeping in the middle).

“Two more minutes and back to pokéballs!” announced Raihan to the playing bunch. When pokémon started complaining, he added, “You will come out when it’s safe or we need help, for now please observe from the comfort of your pokéballs.”

They decided to hide all their pokémons and approach the first crystal level slowly. Hop was holding his Rotom Phone with a map open and making marks on some crystals they were passing, to make it easier to find their way back, just in case. Raihan walked next to him, looking around, both alert and amazed.

They were surrounded by dark rocky formations, crystals growing from walls and floor and ceiling. It wasn’t as claustrophobic as regular caverns could be, as the area was still vast, even if seemingly closed off on all sides. The subterranean area was illuminated only by the eerie glow of colossal crystals, blue and purple, bright and magical, blurring any difference between day and night deeper in the crater.

The air was heavy with mineral-scented moisture, making the travelers get tired a bit quicker, travel a bit slower, and do their best not to complain about sweating (or in Hop’s case, his hair getting more puffy, like Dubwool’s fur.)

“Are all those crystals tera shards?” Raihan asked.

“Only some,” Hop answered. “These smaller ones, more colorful. Different minerals for different terastallization effects.”

And the crystals themselves were breathtaking, both the regular formations and the magical shards. Impossibly clear in some places, full of color in others, refracting light into ghostly purple rainbows dancing across the slick dark rocks.

“Which ones are dragon shards?”

“I’ll keep an eye on them and show you once we find some.”

Occasionally, a soft metallic hum reverberated through the area. It sounded not mechanical, not natural, but something in between. Coming from different places, or from one place, bouncing against crystals, fooling human senses.

“These must be paradox pokémon,” Hop whispered, after they heard the hum one more time.

“There.” Raihan pointed after a longer moment and pulled Hop behind a tall rock.

They both stayed still and looked from behind their cover at a creature Raihan spotted. It was short, red, white, and metallic, carrying a bag of water or ice, or maybe the bag was a part of it, its tail, that could be detached.

“Reminds me of Delibird,” Raihan said.

“According to the data Zero Lab has gathered so far, it might be a future relative of Delibird or a counterpart of it from a parallel timeline.”

“Right, a parallel timeline.” Raihan sighed, as if because of this unreal place, nothing more could really surprise him.

Hop smiled, looking at Raihan’s face, so cute in disbelief.

“Iron Bundle,” Hop said after a moment. "That's what they called it. Six were observed, two caught for research so far.”

“Then let’s make that three, professor.” Raihan put his hand on Duraludon’s pokéball.

“Let’s be gentle first,” Hop said and slowly approached the paradox pokémon, letting Dubwool out of the pokéball. Raihan followed, staying a few steps behind.

Iron Bundle took notice of them and attacked. First came a Freeze-Dry attack, aimed from Iron’s Bundle blue ice bag right at Dubwool.

“Dubwool, Headbutt, quick!” Hop ordered and his pokémon followed, rushing at the opponent and connecting the attack before being hit with Freeze-Dry. Dubwool grunted at getting hit with the ice, but luckily it did not freeze him. Iron Bundle flinched.

“Headbutt, once more!”

Dubwool spouted steam from her nostrils and charged, hitting Iron Bundle with another Headbutt attack. It connected, but the opponent did not flinch this time. Instead, it responded by flying up and then diving at Dubwool.

“Defense Curl!”

Dubwool curled up in a fluffy ball, absorbing part of Iron Bundle’s Drill Peck move.

“Now hit it with a Double Kick!” Hop shouted, his fists clenched, a big smile on his face.

Raihan watched from the side, his Duraludon next to him, eager to fight, but ordered not to interfere by her trainer.

Dubwool kicked Iron Bundle twice, sending it flying. The opponent stood up and once again aimed its blue ice bag at Dubwool, quickly using Hydro Pump move, blasting Dubwool with a huge volume of water launched under great pressure.

“Cotton Guard!”

Dubwool wasn’t quick enough, and the Hydro Pump hit it seconds before she managed to guard herself. Blasted by the heavy water stream, Dubwool was hurt and pushed back, before she managed to use the cotton guard move.

And then Iron Bundle used the same move again. This time Dubwool was ready, bracing herself and pushing forward.

“Headbutt! You got this, sweetie!”

And she did, Dubwool hit Iron Bundle with her thick head, making it flinch.

“Amazing, now-”

Iron Bundle used its next move quicker than Hop expected, launching a Freeze-Dry attack point blank to Dubwool, freezing her in place.

“Fuck!” Hop clenched his teeth. “Come back!” He put Dubwool back in the pokéball and quickly switched to another one of his pokémon. “Pincurchin, let’s finish this! Use Thunder Shock!”

Pincurchin, born ready to electrocute water type pokémon, immediately used the move, hitting Iron Bundle with electric current not strong enough to actually hurt the opponent, but aimed perfectly to leave it paralyzed.

“You’re amazing!”

“Pincur!”

Hop immediately took out a timer ball and approached Iron Bundle. He was getting ready to throw the timer ball, when a loud roar shook the ground and a big shadow covered the area in deeper darkness.

“Hop, look out!” Raihan screamed and started running towards him.

Hop jumped to the side, saw Iron Bundle shake off the paralysis and run away, visibly scared of something it saw above them. Hop felt Raihan bumping into him, throwing them both out of the way of a sudden and powerful Dragon Breath attack.

“You okay?” Raihan asked, towering over Hop, both of them on the ground.

“Yeah… yes…” Hop answered, his eyes focused on what he saw behind Raihan.

Another paradox pokémon. Flying, about two meters high, with an even bigger wingspan. Its body was mostly light blue, its huge wings deep red, smaller parts of it gold and black. It was majestic and loud, beautiful and frightening.

Raihan slowly turned his head, his body still protecting Hop’s.

“Roaring Moon,” Hop whispered. “Mega Salamence’s paradox relative or counterpart. A dragon and a dark type.” His golden eyes got wide. “And it’s charging the breath again!”

“Leave it to me!” Raihan shouted and stood up, his tall silhouette the only thing between Hop and Roaring Moon.

Hop called Pincurchin back to the pokéball, just before Roaring Moon used a scale shot attack aimed at the sea urchin pokémon.

“Use Protect.” Raihan ordered his Duraludon. The pokémon immediately protected both trainers with his move. Raihan was now fully focused on the opponent. “And then hit it with a Dragon Pulse.”

Hop managed to sit, his back hurting a bit. He watched as Raihan battled, the crystals around them breaking when pokémon or their moves hit them, dragon type attacks reflecting across the slick vast caverns, loud and impactful. And it looked just as impressive as any of Raihan’s official battles, with Hop as his only audience.

Raihan didn't stand in place, like he never did during official battles. He was moving, he was leaning, he was showing his teeth in a fierce smile. And he did all of that not treating the paradox pokémon like a nuisance or a creature to be caught. He clearly approached it as an equal opponent, as if there was a referee and an audience. He used no dirty tricks and he clearly gave Roaring Moon enough time to launch all of its moves, before either blocking or parrying them with his Duraludon, sometimes even getting the alloy pokémon hurt as a result.

Hop wondered why Raihan was doing that last part. He was way more vicious with some younger trainers, than with this beast that wanted to kill them moments ago.

After several minutes of intense battle, both Roaring Moon and Duraludon looked tired, but their eyes were glowing with satisfaction. Hop expected Raihan to switch his pokémon, especially after he called back Duraludon. Yet nothing of the sort happened. Raihan put his hands in his pockets and started approaching Roaring Moon, who landed on the ground, its red wings, tipped with light blue feathers, outspread against the purple crystals.

“You fought well, buddy,” Raihan said, when he stopped dangerously close to the pokémon. “You’re powerful and wild, I like it. We can help you hone your skills. We can show you the world outside of this crater.”

Hop stood up slowly. Raihan looked so small next to the wild paradox pokémon, yet he seemed to belong right there, next to this ancient beast.

Roaring Moon roared, Hop winced, Raihan stayed unmoved. Then the dragon tamer raised his hand and gently touched the pokémon’s head.

“Or we ask you to let us continue with our journey, now that we proved to be worthy opponents,” he said.

Another roar filled the air. The paradox pokémon lowered its head closer to Raihan.

“Raihan, it wants to go with us…” Hop whispered, mesmerised by the scene.

“It does.” Raihan smiled. “I’m Raihan, and he’s Hop, my friend. A smart guy and a good trainer.” He looked at Hop and winked. “And quite easy on the eyes.”

“Nice to meet you,” Hop said, getting a little bit closer.

Another roar answered him, hopefully meaning something nice.

“Now, Hop, grab a pokéball,” Raihan said. “Approach slowly, with confidence and respect.”

Hop took out a pokéball and walked up to Raihan, just as instructed, head held high, steps firm, even though his heart was beating like crazy. He got the pokéball ready, but instead of throwing it at the pokémon, he put it in Raihan’s hand.

“You should do it,” he said quietly, feeling the warmth of Raihan’s skin.

“Hop…?”

“I want you to catch it. It's yours.”

“Are you sure?” Raihan asked, surprised beyond belief, and visibly flustered. He looked at the pokéball that Hop gave him. “An ultra ball…”

“Yes. I’m sure.” Hop could swear that a slight blush appeared on Raihan’s cheeks. “I’ll get the next one. You both are a perfect match.”

“Thank you,” Raihan said softly and turned to the paradox pokémon. He smiled at it and raised his chin in a friendly greeting. Then he took a step back and threw the ultra ball with perfect strength and precision. It opened in the air, right in front of the pokémon, welcoming it, then closing and falling on the ground, where it shook just for a second and then went still.

Raihan approached the pokéball slowly and picked it up.

“Welcome to the family, Roaring Moon.” He planted a kiss on the ultra ball, his teal eyes kind and smiling, glancing at Hop.

Chapter Text

During the next two days of Area Zero exploration, Hop and Raihan fell into a routine and focused on research, both driven to make the best of their Area Zero one-week pass.

Hop prepared and organized notes on all Pokemon they saw in the area, took numerous pictures, wrote to Sonia and other researchers (they no longer had signal where they were now, but Hop managed to send some emails and call Leon and Gloria before they went deeper into the crater). He gathered enough material for one or two good scientific articles, and that’s not counting the research on the caught paradox pokémon he could do once they were back in Galar.

Hop smiled at Iron Bundle, who was running all over the station (they reached another one, deeper in the crater - and they planned to stay there before going back to the surface), playing with Silicobra and Goodra. Hop and Raihan found the same Iron Bundle that Hop fought earlier and this time Hop caught it, rather easily to be honest (Hop was pretty sure the paradox pokémon remembered him and simply wanted to be caught).

Raihan focused on gathering tera shards (with Duraludon’s priceless help) and training with Roaring Moon. He was also doing all the dishes and taking care of packing and unpacking, grateful for Hop’s delicious sandwich breakfasts and curry dinners (they ate sour mushroom medley curry on Saturday and sweet coconut curry on Sunday).

And now, another day later, it was a warm Monday afternoon and both Hop and Raihan were traveling together, some of their pokémon left at the station, others in their pokéballs at their trainers’ side. Since they needed to start heading back tomorrow, Hop really wanted to look for another paradox pokémon.

So far, they saw some known pokémon who moved to the crater, as well as another Iron Bundle. Normally, Hop wouldn't mind getting another one - so much comparative research that could be done - but with the three paradox pokémon limit per Area Zero pass, he really wanted to find a different paradox. Raihan encouraged it, so now they were quite far from the station, moving carefully so as not to spook a possible catch.

“There,” Hop whispered, after he finally saw a metallic pokémon walking by the tall crystals.

“That one’s so pretty,” Raihan replied, crouching next to Hop. “Like a Gardevoir. Or a Gallade.”

“It’s both,” Hop replied, eyes focused on the paradox pokémon. “Iron Valiant. None caught so far, only three reported seen by previous researchers.”

The pokémon had an aura of elegance surrounding it, its arms adorned with large and glowing magenta blades, its head covered by a green curved piece resembling hair, its white long petal-shaped guards resembling a dress. Hop couldn't take his eyes off it. Gardevoir and Gallade combined, taking the most impressive characteristics from both. In no way similar to Hop’s other animal-like pokémon, looking more like a warrior princess.

Gloria would love seeing it, fighting it. So Hop really needed to catch it.

“So,” Raihan whispered, “if we saw a paradox pokémon no one saw before, we would get to name it?”

“Yeah… Actually, kind of yes.” Hop nodded. “All the other names were proposed by the researchers who saw them first.”

Iron Valiant noticed something deeper in the cavern, turned its back to Hop, still crouching behind a rocky formation.

“You’re going to catch it?” Raihan asked.

“I only have the heavy ball left.”

“If it’s anything like Duraludon, it’s gonna be even lighter than you.”

“I just need to offer it a great fight then!” Hop stood up and released Rilaboom. “You stay back and enjoy it.”

“My pleasure.”

“Rilla, sweetie, let’s do it!” Hop called his drummer pokémon. Rillaboom appeared in front of him, his drum ready.

Iron Valiant turned to them, immediately combining its shoulder blades into one long weapon. It moved, using Double Team to give itself an edge over its opponent, and then attacked with a Fury Cutter move.

Hop tried his best to stay calm and focused. He wanted to fight Iron Valiant like Raihan fought Roaring Moon. He felt the dragon tamer’s eyes on his back. He wanted to impress both the paradox pokémon and his crush. No pressure.

“Use Bullet Seed! Aim each seed at a different copy of Iron Valiant!”

Rillaboom beat the drum in captivating rhythm, bullet seeds flying from the drum, striking at the opponent.

Iron Valiant dodged most of the bullets, but one hit it, dealing some damage but doing nothing to stop the pokémon. It attacked twice, one end of the magenta blade damaging Rillaboom, the other missing.

“Now, counter with Leaf Storm!”

Raihan watched as Hop and Rillaboom fought Iron Valiant, sitting cross-legged on a dark stone, surrounded by shiny crystals. The battle went for several minutes, no side giving in, Hop fully focused, beating of Rillaboom drums resonating in the air, making the crystals tremble and sparke.

“Making me work for it, aren’t you?” Hop asked, panting, after several more moves were exchanged between Iron Valiant and Rillaboom.

It was hard, giving Iron Valiant the time to prepare its attacks and to show off, and showing off to it in return, so it would consider Hop a worthy trainer. And not getting Rillaboom beaten unconscious in the process.

“You almost got it, Hop!” Raihan shouted from behind, his cheerful voice louder than the drumbeat. "Use your best move now!”

Hop frowned, biting his lip, looking at the elegant paradox pokémon. He had to succeed. For Leon, for Gloria, for Raihan, for Rillaboom. For himself.

“Rilla, give it all you got, use Giga Impact!”

“Boom!” replied the pokémon, beating a beat so powerful, the surrounding crystals started to crack.

Iron Valiant guarded itself, but was also clearly mesmerised by the music, the crystals, and the power rising from Rilaboom’s drum. Then the attack hit.

“Boom!”

“Amazing job, sweetie!” Hop shouted, running up to his pokémon and hugging him.

Then he approached Iron Valiant, now unconscious on the ground, its guard having protected it from the full power of the Rillaboom’s move, but not strong enough to completely block it.

Hop took out the heavy ball and waited. Raihan walked up to him, put his hand on Hop’s arm (making Hop flinch with delight), but didn't say anything. After a minute or so, the paradox pokémon opened its eyes, and stood up slowly, kneeling on one leg, leaning on its weapon.

“Do you want to go with me?” Hop asked. “Fight the strongest pokémon there are to fight? Protect my home with me? Meet other pokémon similar to you?”

Iron Valiant didn’t move for a moment, making Hop beg and scream internally.

But then it nodded.

“Thank you.” Hop opened the pokéball and Iron Valiant disappeared inside it.

“You’re even better than Leon,” Raihan said.

Hop smiled, pretty sure it was quite an exaggerated compliment, but a welcome one nevertheless.

* * *

By late evening, Hop and Raihan were back at the station. Snorlax and Flygon stood guard at the door (or more precisely, one of them slept by the door and the other flew around the area), welcoming their trainers back. Inside the station, the pokémon were waiting expectably by their food bowls.

“Right,” Raihan said. “Sorry about that, we’re a bit late. I’ll feed you in a moment.”

“I’ll be back in half an hour tops,” Hop said, going back to the door, taking Rilaboom with him. “I want to gather more tera shards. I saw some yesterday to the east of the station.”

“Sure. I can get the rice cooking.”

“Thank you. See you soon.”

Hop left the station, leaving Raihan to tend to the pokémon (other than Roaring Moon, who they let out to hunt during the day and who was now asleep in the ultra ball) and heading for a big batch of tera shards he found earlier. He knew they wouldn't have much time for tera shard gathering tomorrow and was actually also quite impatient to get them. They found barely any shards of this type during their research and Hop somehow managed to keep his discovery a secret from Raihan.

Hop found the crystal formations full of the shards growing out of them and, together with Rilaboom, they gathered a full bag of them. Hop was coming back to the station with a huge smile on his face, quick steps and high spirits.

“I’m back,” he announced, once he reached the station.

He saw all pokémon sleeping outside, full after their dinner, and Raihan in the kitchenette, making sure the rice was cooked perfectly. Hop felt a warmth filling his body. Dear Arceus, what a life it would be, to always come home to such a view.

Raihan approached Hop and helped him with the bag. He looked at the shards, all of them showing blue, purple and orange reflections.

“They’re all the same color,” Raihan said. “Which type are these? They're so hard to tell apart sometimes.”

Hop raised his chin, pride emanating from his voice and golden eyes.

“You're looking at the recommended amount of dragon type tera shards needed for creation of a dragon type terra orb,” he replied, loving the surprised look on Raihan's pretty face. “They are for you,” Hop added, giving one of the shards to Raihan. “I mean, for you once the Zero Lab helps me make the orb. The orb is for you. Unless you want just the shards-”

Raihan hugged Hop, holding a shard in his hand, his body so close to Hop’s, his eyes glassy. After a moment of shock, Hop raised his arms, hugging Raihan back, letting his fingers feel the fabric of Raihan’s hoodie. Just the two of them, the pokémon sleeping outside, the station’s interior suddenly so warm.

“That's amazing, thank you so much,” Raihan said, after he finally let go of Hop. “Mindblowing curry, Roaring Moon, now these tera shards, how do I even pay you back? Maybe I’ll take you on a flight on the Moon's back once I train it to do that? And then a fancy dinner, my treat? And a kiss?”

Hop barely followed all these words, more focused on Raihan’s gratitude and enthusiasm. On Raihan’s handsome face and well-built body, on the happiness that the man felt because of him. But despite all these distractions, Hop heard the last part very well. He also started to hear his heart beat like crazy in his chest.

“Or you could kiss me right now,” he answered, ready or not for what could happen now.

“I guess I could,” Raihan answered, eagerness in his voice, and put one hand on the back of Hop’s neck. Hop froze in place. Then Raihan bent down and kissed him.

Hop could swear Dialga and Palkia themselves did something to him, as the time suddenly stopped and space no longer existed, there was only the feeling of Raihan’s lips on his lips, Raihan’s tongue in his mouth, Raihan’s fingers in his hair.

The kiss was soft and kind, yet sure and electric, sending shivers down Hop’s spine. Hop leaned into the kiss, put his hands on Raihan’s back and did his best to kiss him back.

Hop crossed a line he never expected to cross, between fantasizing and doing, between wondering and knowing. This was real, this was amazing, and this was all that he ever wanted. Almost all.

They stopped kissing only to start again, even more passionately, hungry for each other. Hop found himself on the bed, unzipping Raihan’s hoodie, putting a hand under Raihan’s shirt, his blood rushing, his body eager.

Raihan helped Hop get rid of his jacket, and they both took off their shoes. With a pillow under his head, Hop kissed Raihan again, the older man feeling so tall, so warm and so heavy above him. Hop felt Raihan’s hand moving to the waistband of his sweatpants and bit his lip, his body trembling, his mind racing. He wanted this, yes, but not like that-

“Oh…” Raihan smiled. “Someone’s ready.” He started slipping his hand under Hop’s sweatpants.

“Wait…” Hop said, grabbing Raihan’s wrist. His heart was pounding.

“Do you want to stop?” Raihan asked.

“No,” Hop answered, hesitating.

So Raihan stopped. He smiled at Hop with understanding in his teal eyes, even as they were burning with desire.

“I want to do it,” Hop continued, leaning on his elbow. “But just… Just let’s don’t do it… Unless you mean it.” He looked straight at Raihan, finding courage to communicate what he needed.

“Of course I mean it," Raihan replied, leaning towards Hop. “Hop, I'm so into you,” he whispered to Hop’s ear, making him all the more hot and bothered. “Can’t remember the last time I felt like this. I want you and I mean it.”

“Thank you,” Hop smiled, a hint of disappointment in his voice, as he started to realize this is where this dream ended. “But I don’t want to be just a friend that you sometimes sleep with, not a one-night stand, not one of your lovers, or whatever else it is you’re doing.”

Raihan raised his eyebrows, moved back a little bit, his shoulders tense.

“Fine,” he answered, after a moment of thinking. “I understand. I respect that.”

Hop didn't know what he actually hoped for. For Raihan to confess his love? Obviously not. To propose a relationship? That would be stupid. And yet, it hurt to see him stand up and grab his hoodie.

“I’m glad we cleared that out,” Hop added, after a moment of torturous silence. “No hard feelings?”

“No hard feelings,” Raihan agreed.

“I’ll prepare dinner.”

“The best part of every day,” Raihan replied, his usual kind smile back on his face, “and I’m saying that while in a magical crater full of mysterious pokémon.”

“Just give me a second,” Hop added, covering his pants with his jacket.

Raihan chuckled, but didn’t comment.

“I’ll go check on the pokémon,” he offered, to Hop’s relief.

Later tonight, they enjoyed bitter sausage curry for dinner and did their best to talk about paradox pokémon, tera shards and Hop’s plans for his second week in Paldea instead of addressing any personal stuff. Then Raihan did the dishes, as he liked to do, grateful for Hop’s delicious cooking, while Hop took notes on his laptop.

“I’ll sleep on the floor tonight, if you don’t mind,” Raihan said, once the kitchenette was clean, reaching for his sleeping bag. “Right now it’s just too-”

“Awkward,” Hop said, feeling the same. “Of course. No problem,” he added, slamming the laptop shut.

Chapter Text

Hop always liked imagining himself and Raihan in situations.

As a kid, he imagined himself defeating Leon and Raihan with Wooloo, surprising them both and getting crowned the Monarch of Galar.

As a teenager, he of course imagined himself defeating Leon, but his imaginary battles with Raihan started to include kissing and some more passionate makeouts.

As a young adult, well, his pokémon battle fantasies became reality in him reaching Champion Cup Finals alongside Gloria, so all that was left to imagine was Raihan’s touch. To be more precise, Raihan’s naked body next to his, their hands and tongues exploring each other. But in all those fantasies it was always implied, somewhere in Hop’s head, that he and Raihan were together.

Raihan’s hands on his eager skin felt even better in reality than Hop could ever imagine. Yet the most important thing was lacking. Such intimate physical closeness without deeper feelings and real connection just wasn't something Hop could do.

Last night, he wondered, of course, if maybe he should have gone for it. It was pure bliss to be touched by Raihan after all, and having the hot dragon tamer pleasure him with his hand or his mouth would be a mind blowing experience and a memory to cherish forever. Not to mention all the other things they could explore together, making each one of Hop’s fantasies a beautiful reality.

And then, maybe, they would continue as friends and lovers, and then, maybe, Raihan would catch feelings. And then, maybe, they would no longer be casual, and then, maybe-

But Hop knew it didn’t work like this. Not for him. No matter how fun it would be for his body, it would do nothing good for his mind.

Hop bit his pen. He was making notes in his notebook (his laptop’s lid was kind of broken and Hop needed to get it fixed in Medali), sitting on a rock, Snorlax sleeping next to him. They were on their way back, their Area Zero pass ending tomorrow. The goal was to reach the green level of the crater by the evening and spent the last night in the first station.

Hop looked up. Raihan was training, pitching Duraludon against Roaring Moon, convinced he needed just a day or two more for Roaring Moon to let them all fly on its back.

Hop stared at a heart he drew in a corner of the page. Maybe after going back to Galar, having finally kissed his childhood crush, he could move on, be more open about his sexuality, and find somebody who would want to date him, and then maybe they would fall in love. Now all he needed was for that someone to have Raihan’s personality (and Raihan’s good looks wouldn’t hurt).

Snorlax’s snoring echoed through the rocky area. Dubwool rolled around with Turtonator and Gigalith, clearly having some kind of race. Flygon, Corviknight and Cramorant were scouting the crater’s sky, eating berries they found on trees and flying through the waterfalls. Rilaboom was playing on his drum, with Goodra, Pincurchin and Iron Bundle dancing to the rhythm. Silicobra and Sandaconda were eating any sand they could find and playing with rocks (mostly trying to break them into smaller chunks and then eat them). Iron Valiant stood guard, observing all the pokémon and two humans, giving (understandable only to pokémon) advice to fighting Duraludon and Roaring Moon.

Hop couldn't stop smiling. He took some pics, wanting to capture this moment, to relieve it later. He immediately sent a few to Gloria, even though she was probably sleeping at this time.

All of this was so nice, so perfect. And all of this hurt only just a little.

* * *

After two hours of well-deserved break from trekking through the crater and some delicious sandwiches for humans and berries for pokémon, Hop stood up and picked up his bag.

“Let’s get going,” he said to Raihan. “We have about three hours of travel left to reach the top level. If we go now, we’ll have enough time to observe more paradox pokémon and gather more shards on the way.”

“You got it, professor,” Raihan replied and started getting all of their pokémon into their pokéballs. He seemed to be in a good mood, as usual. Awkwardness of yesterday’s evening was replaced by friendly banter, with the only difference being way less flirting on either side.

After two hours of travel (and an interesting meeting with a very curious Slither Wing, which ended with Hop feeding it berries and Raihan taking a cute video of the whole ordeal), they could finally see huge green trees on the horizon above them.

“There’s someone there,” Raihan said, squinting his eyes, looking into the darkness of the caverns. “Two people, I think. Should we say hello?”

“No!” Hop grabbed him immediately. “Come here,” he said, going back behind a crystal wall. Raihan followed him.

“What’s going on?” he asked, seeing dread on Hop’s face.

“I know that two other researchers were allowed entry recently,” Hop replied, still holding onto Raihan’s arm. “One of them left a day before we arrived. And the other one’s pass starts today. They would not be able to reach this level yet, even with their pokémon’s help.”

“So who the fuck are those people?”

“I don’t know, but they aren’t authorized by Area Zero Lab.”

“Poachers then. Or some students.”

“I will call the lab once we move further away.”

Raihan nodded. Then they both started to back away, careful not to alert the intruders. Backing away, they saw a small mouse pokémon, not a paradox one, approach the two people with curiosity.

“Paw…?” it asked.

One of the people, a green-haired young man in black clothes, turned to the pokémon and smiled. Hop had a moment to think that he really did not like that smile. Then the man kicked the pokémon, sending it flying. The pokémon screamed and hit a crystal wall.

“What the fuck?!” Raihan shouted, immediately running towards the man, Hop not able to stop him. “Hey, you asshole! Fight somebody your size!”

Hop, seeing that they were obviously no longer backing away and being silent, ran up to the hurt pokémon and took a potion out of his bag.

“Are you okay?” he asked, kneeling next to the whimpering mouse pokémon. “Here.” He sprayed the pokémon with the potion, immediately making it feel better and its pink fur getting cleaner. Hop didn’t recall what pokémon it was, but it was clearly an electric type, and not aggressive at all.

“Mi, mi…” the pokémon said, clinging to Hop, shivering.

Hop hugged it and stood up, holding the pokémon in his arms, then walked up to Raihan, stopping next to him. And Raihan was livid, an ultra ball in his hand, his voice with no hint of his usual chill and niceness.

“What, you gonna cry, cause I kicked this useless shit?” Hop heard a green-haired man say, mockery in his voice.

“You need to be taught a lesson,” Raihan replied, his teeth clenched. He looked ready to let Duraludon out of his pokéball.

“You need to be taught a lesson, big boy, about minding your own business,” answered the other man.

He was also dressed in black, a bit older than his companion, his hair and eyes teal, his face features sharp. Hop immediately felt hatred towards them both.

“Let’s solve this with a battle, you fuckers!” Hop, holding the pokémon with one hand, reached out to his pocket.

So did the older man, reaching for something and then aiming it at them. A strange pokéball? Before Hop’s mind fully processed what was happening, Raihan moved to stand in front of Hop, both his hands raised slightly.

“There’s no need for that,” Raihan said, his voice almost calm.

Hop looked over Raihan’s arm and froze. This teal asshole had a gun. Not a pokéball, not something else, a real fucking gun. Probably a real fucking gun, as Hop never saw one in person, other than the guns the crater guards had, but those were in their holsters.

“What the fuck…” Hop managed a whisper. Raihan moved a bit, silent, covering him again.

“Not so daring now, are you?” The asshole said, his eyes cold. “Put down the pokéball,” he ordered. When Raihan didn’t move, the man continued, “Your pokémon might be bulletproof, but the two of you surely aren’t. Be a good boy and you’ll leave this encounter unscathed.”

Hop could see Raihan shoulders getting tense, his breath short. Then he bent down and put his pokéball on the ground.

“Proton, take their phones,” the asshole ordered his companion.

The green-haired man, apparently named Proton (Hop considered it a fitting shitty name for a shitty asshole guy), smiled his awful smile and walked up to Raihan. Raihan gave him his phone.

“Do it,” Raihan said to Hop.

Hop knew Raihan's phone also had a rotom in it, even though it looked like a regular phone when he gave it away. When Hop took his phone out of his pocket, it suddenly also looked like a normal phone. But Hop was sure his rotom was inside. Maybe this annoying plasma pokémon was smart enough to hide. Good. Hop gently stroked his phone. He knew it would come back, and most probably so would Raihan’s.

“Thank you,” Proton said, fake kindness in his voice, when Hop gave him his phone.

“Good,” said the other guy, still aiming his gun at Raihan.

“C’mon, Archer.” Proton’s eyes flashed with cruelty. “Now they should give us their pokémon.” He looked at Raihan, his wide smile showing off his pointy teeth. “Kick that ultra ball of yours our way, would you?”

Hop stopped breathing. He saw Raihan’s clenched fists trembling. He slowly raised his hand and put it on the back of Raihan’s arm. The pokémon in Hop’s other hand shivered and hid its head under Hop’s jacket.

“No.”

For a longer moment, Raihan’s harsh answer was the only sound anyone could hear in the crystal area. The air stood still, no one moved. Hop didn’t dare to wonder what was going to happen now.

“Calm down, Proton,” said the Archer guy, finally breaking the dangerous silence, his gaze locked on Raihan, same as his gun. “It wouldn't be good for business to steal from a famous Galarian Gym Leader.”

“Oh, you recognised me?” Raihan asked, his voice sounding more like what Hop was used to. “A fan?”

“Start walking and don’t stop until you leave this area,” Archer replied, his demeanor unchanged.

Raihan nodded. Then he slowly picked up his ultra ball and put it in his pocket, his fingers trembling.

“Let’s go,” he said to Hop, waiting for him to go first.

Hop looked one more time at the two men, swearing to not let this go. Then he turned around, with the mouse pokémon in his hands, and started walking, Raihan right behind him.

“I can’t believe your fame saved us from some fucking asshole pouchers,” Hop said, his voice shaky, when they were far enough, getting close to the station in the green grassy area of the crater.

The mouse pokémon still didn’t leave his arms, now asleep in them. Hop wished he had his phone with him, to check who was that pokémon that apparently decided not to leave his side.

“And was that an actual fucking gun?” Hop asked, still shocked at this unreal encounter.

“They were no regular poachers, Hop,” Raihan replied, his eyes dark, his posture still tense, looking back every few minutes, Duraludon at the ready. “They were from Team Rocket.”