[It's 9:28, and while he'd never admit it, even Leon is a little shocked to find himself in the hotel lobby not only on time, but a whole two minutes early. Never mind the fact that it had taken him fifteen minutes to find the right elevator. What kind of hotel had elevators that only went to certain floors???
Whatever, the point is, he's here, he's early, and he's looking for Raihan, though the suit he's wearing might make it a little tricky to spot him for anyone else. Yet another thing to dislike about these kinds of events. He's never been a suit kind of person. The ties always feel like they're choking him, and not even in an interesting way.
Spotting Raihan, Leon approaches from behind, a grin already on his face as he does his best to creep up on the taller man.]
[It's depressingly easy to sneak up on Raihan, as he's absorbed in his phone 90% of the time. And he's doing that now, standing near the entrance and scrolling through his social media.
That, and the fact that he's expecting Leon about thirty minutes from now, makes him jump slightly when the person he's waiting for speaks up. He turns quick, looking down at Leon - even his Rotomphone looks surprised, an appropriate 8O on its little face.]
Leon?
[He blinks, looking Leon up and down. He looks... good, but way too dressed up, as Raihan expected. Raihan himself is not nearly as dressed up, instead wearing a hoodie that isn't his usual one, loose black pants, and a blue beanie that covers most of his hair rather than shows it off. It's mostly as a disguise from the public, but his sheer height gives him away anyway.
Recovering some, Raihan gives an easy, crooked smile instead.]
Well, well. Credit where credit's due, you're actually on time.
[The Rotomphone making the same face as Raihan is actually surprisingly cute, and don't think Leon doesn't notice as he grins even wider, far too pleased with himself.
Don't think he misses that once-over, either. He might be shifting his weight to one hip, slinging his jacket over his shoulder with one arm and posing juuuuuust a little, too.]
On time? Mate, I'm early. A whole sixty seconds, even. I'd say initiative like that deserves a reward, don't you? What do you say, first round's yours?
[Alright, fine, Raihan definitely checks out Leon when he poses. A hand on his chin, and an appreciative grin on his face to boot. And Raihan doesn't miss the fact that Leon's posing just for him, either.
What he says gets a quirk of an eyebrow, and he glances at his phone to check the time. 9:29, then 9:30.]
Wow, damn, you're right. A miracle like that definitely deserves some kind of compensation.
[Because since when has Leon ever been early?]
Oh, hold up. [He unzips his hoodie, showing a dark, pinstripe shirt underneath, but also a set of clothes he'd been hiding. He tosses it up in the air for Leon to catch.] Figured you'd be in a stuffy suit. Got you this instead.
[It's nothing special, but it's better than a whole ass suit. He even got him a snapback!]
Dating Naoto had been easier than Haru thought. It had scared the daylights out of her at first, this attraction to her. Not because of nerves or anything of the sort, but because Haru had been so sure Naoto was a boy, and Haru was equally sure that she herself was gay. As her attraction grew, the whole thing made her stay up some sleepless nights staring at her ceiling, wondering if she'd be bold enough to ask even with all this. She wondered if she was wrong about herself all along.
But her attraction must've been obvious enough for Naoto to notice, for the other girl came clean about herself. And Haru didn't feel angry, not at all; she felt immense, overwhelming relief. Enough that she laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks, and she had to ensure that she's alright, just.
It's all a fond memory now, and she smiles to herself as she holds Naoto's hand, walking along the path of the botanical gardens she loves so much. She's been here plenty of times, but when she's with someone she cares about, it always feels like a whole new experience. Especially with fall just beginning, and some of the plants have faded away, while others rose to take their place. She kneels before one in particular, letting go of Naoto's hand momentarily to gently trail her fingers along the soft petals of the lavender Asters that cascade throughout the edges of the trail.]
[For someone who aspires to be a detective, Naoto is decidedly not very observant when it comes to emotions. Specifically, emotions directed at her, which is why she'd taken so long to realize Haru Okumura's obvious crush.
That had been cause for quite a bit of alarm on her part-- she didn't want Haru to have fallen for her only to find out that they're quite sexually incompatible-- so she'd told the other girl, in confidence, her secret.
She hadn't expected Haru to react with relief. That had been a little confusing, but Haru had explained well enough that her attraction to Naoto (a boy) had been the sticking point to begin with. Well, then, there was no problem at all. Naoto wasn't sure how well she'd be attracted to anyone at all, but Haru was charming, and soft, and kind, and rather attractive, and... Naoto has come to enjoy the, ah, physical parts of a relationship far more than she'd expected.
Most people still don't know. She still presents masculine when she's in public, just because it's what makes her feel at ease and confident. But she's happy she can have this with Haru. They can even go on dates together.
Naoto steps forward as Haru let's go of her hand, stooping forward to peer at the flower she's being shown.] A favorite...?
No, I can't say that I've ever thought much about it. [She pauses in consideration.] There's something timeless about roses, perhaps, but, ah... that feels somewhat cliche, to be honest.
[It's certainly been easier for Haru. Not that she'd be ashamed otherwise; Recolle's always been a city that's open and accepting, and she's sure no one would bat an eye if they knew the whole truth. Really, most of Haru's friends had been surprised and concerned when she s started dating Naoto, for the very same reason Haru herself had been worried before she learned the truth.
She didn't particularly mind. If Naoto was comfortable with them learning the truth, then they'd know too, and if not, then they'd have to just keep believing that Haru wasn't as gay as she thought. If Naoto presenting herself as masculine is what makes her feel confident, then Haru will back her up and support her.
With that question, Haru looks up at Naoto, admiring the way she looks at the flower Haru's touching. Really, every angle of Naoto is just so pleasing to her.]
These are Asters. [She gives in to the urge to reach a hand up, letting the backs of her fingers trail along her cheek and jawline.] They bloom in late summer and early fall. They can be red, white, blue and pink, though the purple ones are the most common. [It's... probably a bit improper to just keep touching Naoto like this, so Haru lets her hand drop, her eyes back on the flowers.] These in particular are symbols of royalty and wisdom. Most purple flowers are!
Going so AU - can always change if you don't like it.
If you had asked Leon not even six months ago that he would have lost his decade long Championship title to a ten year old and not be devastated by it, helped save the region from history repeated, and lay eyes on multiple legendary pokemon, he would have politely smiled and made sure security was always in place between both of you...but that's where we are today.
The time since Eturnatus had been an absolute whirlwind. Between moving out of his Wyndon Champion Penthouse and into Raihan's Hammerlocke home, getting the new champion up to speed, brainstorming what he was going to do with his life now, pushing through mini breakdowns, and finally sleeping in past 6am, Leon still couldn't tell you where all the time had gone.
Now though, he let out a content sigh as he gazed out the small window at the soft white fluffy clouds against bright blue azure sky. A smile hadn't left his face since he opened his eyes before the sun even thought about rising. He looks to his left and a small pang of guilt at the way Raihan has to fold his extremely tall body in the small seat of the aircraft.
He reaches over and laces their fingers together, squeezing softly in excitement. "Not long now until we're in Alola!" Leon says practically vibrating, "I've barely had a day off since I became champion, but a vacation, an actual vacation - with you Just us!!" He practically squeals, barely containing himself.
I'm cool with it! Going with my own head canons too~
Likewise, if anyone told Raihan that his very own home would be the site of a world-ending event, that his flat would be wrecked in the damage leading him to hasten his search for another one, and the goal he'd been working toward for a decade would be snatched out from under him by a kid? He'd have a good, hearty laugh and wave them off. But here he is now, taking a much needed break with his boyfriend, who is no longer the Champion. That's yet another thing that took some getting used to, despite how much Raihan wanted it to happen. It's all for the better now; Leon's record is finally tarnished, he's no longer on a pretty pedestal above everyone else, and he's looking so much livelier and happier these days. With all the work Leon's done after losing the Championship, and all the work Raihan's been doing to help his city recover from Darkest Day, they both needed a break.
He visited Alola all of once several years ago to visit his parents, who had moved there when Raihan started his gym circuit so long ago. He swore never to go back, not because he didn't get along with his family, but because the plane ride was so damn cramped. But Leon had looked so excited to go, and the thought of saying no never crossed Raihan's mind. Now he's here, legs pulled up to accommodate for the little amount of space he has, wishing for the thousandth time that he sucked it up and had Flygon take him there.
Still, every single time he looked over and saw the excitement in Leon's eyes, the joy when he'd look out the window and at the clouds passing by, all those wishes and regrets would disappear. Even now, Raihan returns that smile, the general annoyance from being stuck in his seat dissipating as he squeezes his hand affectionately. "Away from Galar, even. I would've expected a camping trip in the Wild Area, not Alola of all places. But hey, if we're gonna get away from it all for a while, then we ought to really get away, yeah?" He fiddles with his phone with his free hand, checking the notifications now that he hasn't checked it in a little while. "Gonna take some amazing selfies for the fans, too!"
Leon shakes his head with an amused smile. Sure Raihan, all the selfies for your fans and not your ego, we'll go with that. "Well, yeah, think about it, if we stayed in Galar, we would no doubt be found, or one of us would get an urgent call and end up going and working instead of relaxing like we should be. At least with us a region or so away from home, we can't just drop everything." he says turning fully away from the small window and sideways in his seat. "Besides, with it being warmer in Alola, I get to see you without your hoodie or in a bathing suit more often and that's worth a short little (ish) flight, right babe?" Leon adds with a laugh.
He really appreciates Raihan flying so far for him, he's not that comfortable himself, so he Raihan must really be feeling it. He never realized how different it would be to fly in something other than Rose's private plane. Leon was a bit spoiled it seems, but Leon wouldn't trade it. He'd never felt this free before, not that he hated being Champion, there were a lot of aspects he really enjoyed, but having a full schedule organized for him for a decade is something he wouldn't, or couldn't go back to. Gone is the same uniform repeated everyday and replaced, currently, with travel shorts and a Hammerlocke City Gym graphic tee, hair pulled back into a loose ponyta tail. Gone are the dark circles under his eyes, replaced with well rested ones sparkling with excitement, and gone are the days of him being controlled and manipulated. Again, Leon felt free.
"So..." he starts, pausing to take a sip of his beverage. He wants to make sure he's captured all of Raihan's attention before continuing. "Alola. Are we going to make time to visit your family while we're here?" he asks cautiously. He didn't think Raihan was on negative terms with them, but they aren't really mentioned very often, less and less the older they got naturally, but he didn't want to stick his foot in his mouth if he could help it. He was genuinely curious.
Despite the talk of selfies, Raihan doesn't take one while he's on the plane, nor has he done so since they started flying. He looks embarrassing, after all, a giant like himself crammed into a too small chair. He doesn't mind posting less flattering pics, as he doesn't want to make himself look too perfect (because that's not who he is, and it'd go against all that he believed in), but this just makes him look utterly uncool. He'll take one when they arrive for sure.
Leon's remark makes Raihan look over with an amused grin, a fang showing as he squints an eye. "You've seen me in nothing but my birthday suit plenty of times now, hon. You just can't get enough of me, can you?" He asks, though he can't blame him. Seeing Leon in nothing but swim trunks with his gorgeous muscles out on display is what Raihan's really looking forward to the most, even though he himself has seen Leon with nothing on plenty of times as well. His boyfriend is amazingly hot, and Raihan still considers himself the luckiest man in the world to call him his. He's sure he'll consider himself that for the rest of his life, too.
Which brings him to the other matter, that being his parents. He was kind of hoping that Leon wouldn't bring them up, and he can't help glancing away and slouching a bit in his chair - as much as he can, at least. It's not that he doesn't get along with them, he's just... ambivalent. They're each living their own lives - he knows it, they know it. Leon's family is really unusual, as most parents see their kids off on their journey and then largely stay out of their lives, though they always welcome their children if they return home for a time. Raihan's were no different, though he hadn't quite expected them to up and leave. But that was their choice, and it's largely why he's so self-sufficient to this day. So it's less that he doesn't want to see them, and more that he just doesn't care to.
Still, he does have something he wants to tell them, something important, and he supposes it'd be better to do so in person than over the phone. So he lets out a sigh, scrolling aimlessly on his Pokesta without really looking at it. "Sure, why not? Mum wouldn't let me hear the end of it if she found out I visited Alola without stopping by, and I don't want that conversation." He adds a shudder to the end. His mum is a solid five foot nothing, but she could easily make a grown man cry with her sharp tongue.
[Sonia had urgently called Raihan about what happened at Stow-On-Side, with Bede having destroyed the mural that had been there for years and years, only to discover a hidden piece of Galar's history inside. That was enough for Raihan to get one of his gym trainers to watch over the gym, and another over the vault, and make his way over there with a flying taxi.
He never liked the taxis after he finished growing. He was so tall that the ride just ended up being cramped every time he rode in one. But this was a short trip, and a bit of discomfort was worth it for this kind of monumental discovery.
Seeing the ruined pieces of the mural broke a piece of his heart. Crude and simple as it was, he'd always fancied it, knowing that it was likely a group of children who'd been given permission to draw on the blank canvas that was the giant stone wall. A sword and a shield, resting and partially buried in a field of flowers.
Now, however, it seems that there was more to that mural than meets the eye. Raihan steps over the rubble, eyes never leaving the statues that the wall was hiding. He couldn't help but wonder what material it was made out of as he ran his hand over the stone shield, noting that they were in remarkable condition. But, he thought to himself, that could likely be because it hadn't been exposed to the elements, hidden behind the wall as it was.
Whatever, the state of the statues didn't matter as much in the grand scheme of things. He knew what he was staring at, or at least half of it. The two kings in the scrolls, of course, the ones who combined the strength to end the Darkest Day and save the Galar Region thousands of years ago. The wolves, however, were new. Nowhere in all the history books he's read did they ever talk about these creatures, who could only be Pokemon. Were they companions to the kings? Did they help fight? What even were they?
With the gears continuing to turn in his head, Raihan stepped out of the cave, then had his Rotom fly out enough to get both him and the statues in the shot. Once they were ready, Raihan posed by gesturing to the statues with a raised brow and an excited smile, his gaze on the camera as Rotom took a few different angles.
After choosing the best looking one, Raihan decided to text his friends first about this. Sonia likely already told some people, but Raihan texted some too: Leon, Gordie, Piers, Nessa, Kabu, Opal, and, of course, Olivia, who'd been in Galar for a little while now.]
You're gonna want to see this.
[Is the text he sends to her, along with the selfie. Of course, he uploads the selfie to his Pokesta right after with a similar caption. No doubt it'll be hounded by people interested in this, but they've got a bit of time, at least.]
[Olivia happens to be in Galar for slightly different reasons than usual, a completely opposite experience of her previous ventures into the region. This time the work is intense and her free time to text anyone she knows in the region is slim to none. Her only physical appearance out in public was on the day of the opening ceremonies for the annual Gym Challenge, only to disappear once again.
It was one thing to help Chairman Rose with his projects for the Galar region, but this most recent arrangement lacks something professional. Two weeks before the start of the Gym Challenge, she received a phone call from Rose directly, asking for her assistance in studying Dark and Poison-type Pokémon. Nothing unusual really, until she informed him that her schedule might not be free for the times he requested.
Things become awkward after that, as she was not expecting Rose to offer her a rather questionable offer: giving her wife a sponsorship to compete in the Galar Region circuit. And in exchange, Olivia would work under Rose’s finest scientists at Macros Cosmos for the following few weeks on a project regarding certain Pokémon species.
How he knew that kind of bribe would work is beyond her understanding, but it would be selfish of her to deny Cordelia’s dreams of becoming one of the greatest female trainers in the entire world. It’s just a few weeks of scientific research, something that Olivia is okay with doing if it means giving her wife a chance to succeed.
The only thing she wasn’t prepared for was the slightly demanding work hours, the questionable attitudes of her peers who seemed more interested in how to control certain Pokémon, the devastating effects that Dark and Poison Pokémon have in the world. Just what in Arceus’ name are they studying here? She has questions on why the lab itself is located underneath Hammerlocke, not just because of the energy sources. Maybe Raihan is right, that something weird is going on here…
Not like she’d get the chance to text him about it. Strictly limited contact rules in place for any contract work related to Macros Cosmos. Heck, she hasn’t even had a chance to talk with Cordelia about her progress in the challenge, though she’s heard her wife is making the long trek to Ballonlea to face Opal. So when Raihan messages her, Olivia just happens to be calling it a day at the Macros Cosmos labs. Word of Bede’s dismissal from the challenge has already made it to her ears, but the secrets behind the mural wall are a new discovery.
One that she has to see for herself.]
I can be there soon. There’s something I can’t quite put my finger on regarding those statues.
[She’s in the next available Corviknight taxi headed straight for Stow-on-Side, getting there just shy of 15 minutes. The amount of tourists and trainers trying to catch sight of the new mural is insane, steps being blocked off by league officials, forcing people away from the site until the situation can be averted. A quick flash of her work badge gets her past the masses, leaving her facing a large hole, and deeper within, the statue of mystery.
She takes a few steps forward, shoes clicking against the stone pathway, while the long white lab coat she’s wearing swishes idly in the dusty desert breeze. Gone are the casual days of getting to wear stylish Galar fashion, as she’s dressed extremely serious suit and tie. It doesn’t take her long to spot Raihan and his floating Rotom Phone near the entrance to the newly created ‘cave’]
“Raihan! I’m sorry for the delay in getting here. Tailwinds were a little rough, even for a Corviknight taxi.”
[When Olivia gets there, Raihan is indeed by the cave entrance with his Rotom phone hovering in front of him, though he looks like he's talking to someone via video chat. Rotom might be a mischievous pokemon, but Raihan trained it well, and it loved its trainer, so it carefully keeps who he's talking to hidden from anyone who comes close. The reason isn't quite clear, though Raihan's certainly smiling quite a bit while talking to them.
When Olivia calls out to him, he glances her way, gives a wave, then turns back to his phone.]
Gotta go. See you soon, yeah?
[He ends the video call, letting his Rotom phone wander to his pocket for a little rest as he takes a few steps over to where Olivia is.]
Olivia! Been a while!
[He was able to briefly catch up with her before she got pulled away by Marco Cosmos, and it's just as weird seeing her in a lab coat as it is now. He's not really sure what they've got her doing, but he suspects it has something to do with her wife being a contestant, and he's not sure how to feel about that.
His hands drift to his hoodie pockets as he shrugs his shoulders.]
Don't worry about it. These guys aren't going anywhere. [With a playful smirk, he tilts his head to gesture to the statues.] Check 'em out.
[It takes her a moment to realize Raihan is wrapping up a call, so she doesn't rush over to him immediately. Instead, her eyes drift between the cave entrance and the destroyed chunks of the mural. Damn. Bede really did do a great job at wrecking the monument, with one of Rose's Pokemon no less. Then again, the mural itself looked like a child drew it, so that in itself could've been a bluff. To hide some unknown truth?
Her gaze is pulled away but Raihan's casual greeting and she nods to him politely.]
It has been way too long. Apologies for the silence on my end, but work has been keeping me extremely busy.
[A job she could've said no to. But love makes people do stupid things, and despite her conflicting feelings towards Macros Cosmos, she's in for the long run with their research team.]
I must admit, I hate seeing places of tradition being desecrated, but this might just be a bigger revelation than some artwork. [She nods for Raihan to lead the way, following alongside him towards the cave.]
[For a long time, Raihan thought nothing could compare to the loss he felt upon losing his semi-finals match against Leon. The two of them battling for a shot at the finals, promising to remain friends no matter the outcome, even though the taste of defeat was so, so bitter. His destiny to become the Champion was within his grasp, only to slip through his fingers, lost for so many years.
But no. This right here was far, far worse.
He'd gotten the text from one of his gym trainers after his match in the finals, after being beaten by Gloria. He was supposed to stay and watch Leon's battle with her, and he knew how important it was, but the text had thrown that out the window. Rose had infiltrated his gym and kicked them out, and they were scared. And when his kids are scared, Raihan comes running.
He was right there when it happened. Pokemon began to dynamax all over his city as the sky darkened, and a beam of pure Galar particles had shot up through the floor of his gym. Oleana had been trying to stop him from going to the Chairman, but her Pokemon had dynamaxed out of control, and he had to stop them before they could wreck havoc on his gym and city.
He'd sent Rotom out of his phone to possess the generator to his gym, keeping the place running for as long as it could. Because of that, and how loud and chaotic everything had been around him, he never noticed his phone ringing nonstop, nor the text notifications going off just about every second. The roars of the Pokemon, the sound of heavy footsteps breaking ancient stone, the panicked screams of his people, and the sheer amount his heart pounded in his ears as he tried not to die drowned it all out.
Everyone held their breath as they saw the massive dragon above his gym, which then turned into a gigantic set of claws as it fed on pieces of his castle. Then... it all stopped. The Dynamax Pokemon Raihan had been fighting had suddenly shrank to its original form, and the dark clouds in the sky receded until the late afternoon sky showed once more.
But of course, of course that wasn't the end. Gloria had come to him in a panic saying that Leon was hurt, and that was all Raihan needed to race to the hospital.
It was understandable, really, that he couldn't be allowed to visit Leon even if he was the gym leader, because family took precedence, and he was not family. But it wasn't fair, he thought to himself as he paced up and down the waiting area, his frayed nerves making him unable to sit, a bit banged up himself but absolutely refusing any aid. He didn't know how Leon was, and although Gloria had assured that he didn't seem critically hurt, it only marginally soothed his fears.
Gloria could only sit and watch, her thumb anxiously soothing over the Ultra Ball that had caught Eternatus.
[ This shouldn't have happened. None of this should have happened. He didn't know his plans at all, and when he did, Rose had already gone off and done everything on his own. He didn't give any regard to anyone who was on the scene. He didn't care about all the citizens who were in the area, panicking, screaming. It was just a huge mess.
And as Champion, maybe it wasn't part of his duty, but Leon always thought it was his duty to protect the people of Galar. Protect their smiles, protect their lives, and it felt like within one quick moment, all of that was swept right out from under him, but he tried to keep a level head. He tried to charge in and help. He tried—
he tried to get ahold of Raihan so many times, but he didn't answer. A part of him knew Raihan must be doing some protecting of his own, but it was nerve-wracking when the one man in the world who always answers their phone, wasn't. He just had to... do this and hope Raihan was okay. He didn't like what Rose did, but if catching Eternatus will help, if he had to play as one of his pawns, just to protect the people of Galar, he would.
Too bad he wasn't the one who could, being slammed around by a giant pokemon kind of limits what you can do to help. (Luckily for them, Gloria and Hopscotch were on the scene as well, stubborn lil ones.) Leon had lost consciousness for a bit, between the fight and being transferred to the hospital. And when he woke up, he was lying back in one of the beds in the hospital, hooked up to a couple machines to monitor him. He felt sore and miserable, but the thing that felt worse was feeling like he failed Galar, and still he had no idea if Raihan or the others were okay.
Raihan might notice nurses frequently passing him in the direction of Leon's room throughout his pacing, it was mostly because Leon stubbornly kept trying to leave his bed. He didn't want to rest, he wanted to check on the damages, check on his companions... on Raihan. Shit... But the equally stubborn nurses won out with the help of Hop convincing Leon to stay still, and finally when it seemed like they'd stop coming in as frequently, Hop snuck out of Leon's room and poked his head into the waiting room where he spotted Glora and Raihan. In a quiet voice he gives a low "Psssst" to try and get Raihan's attention. ]
[Raihan does not notice the nurses, caught up in his own head as he is. He's used to them going to him, too, trying to persuade him to get some of his wounds patched up. But no, he can't, not until he knows Leon's okay, not until he can see him and be by his side again.
He's also so caught up in his thoughts that he doesn't hear Hop, but Gloria does. She looks up from her study of the gym leader in front of her, gets out of her chair and goes to him, and the two of them huddle and whisper to each other.
Meanwhile, Raihan continues to pace.
Stupid, stupid, he'd been so incredibly stupid.
He should've known what Rose was up to. Should've followed up harder every time Rose cleared the gym to check out the power plant, even refusing to allow Raihan entry. A gym leader who couldn't even go into his own gym should've raised suspicions, but it just made Raihan mad and his already sour opinion of the chairman to lower even further.
He should've had tighter security on the day of the finals. Most of the people had gone to Wyndon to watch, but some had stayed home to watch on the telly or went to the gym itself to see it on the big screen. No one had ever caused trouble on that day, so Raihan just... assumed it'd be okay, like he had every year. He should've realized it'd be the perfect time to strike his city.
He should've...
He should've told Leon he loved him over and over again from the moment they first confirmed their feelings for each other. But Raihan, while not a coward, kept his heart under lock and key. He didn't want to offer it and be that much more vulnerable, not after all the pining he did and the unintentional hurt that would happen because of it. If Leon didn't feel that way about him, if he didn't feel the depth of love that Raihan did, he wasn't sure if he could keep going with it.
But now -
He snaps out of his thoughts when he feels a little hand close around his wrist, and he looks down to see Gloria with Hop behind her. It's Hop who gets his attention, but before he can ask how Leon is, Hop gives him a big grin (which is oh so much like Leon's) and gestures for him to follow.
"Come on," he said, "Lee's waiting!"
Thus, with Gloria leading him by the wrist, Raihan allows himself to be pulled along while Hop races down the hall to tell the nurses to allow Raihan in. If the two of them were right about Raihan and Leon, then Raihan technically is family, and he should be allowed in, right?!]
[... You know, hearing Leon, who is no longer the Champion but is still highly respected and coveted by the people of Galar, who has still held the record for the longest lasting Champion, who he can never quite catch up to no matter how hard he tries (he will, one day), call Raihan something like "my lord"? It kinda does things to Raihan, more than he'd like to admit.
He can think about that another time. With that in mind, Raihan closes the small distance between them to give Leon a loving and fond kiss on the lips, then slides his hands from his jaw to his cheeks.]
How about you take that shower first. And I'll finish my breakfast while you do that.
[He can smell it all from here, even with that sweaty scent of Leon's, and it smells like the tea he likes best. Leon already knows what he likes, and that makes Raihan feel all warm and gooey inside.]
[ A kiss that Leon would happily return to him, a soft happily hum in the back of his throat. It was cute getting to see Raihan this relaxed and loving. A side of him he hopes to get to see more often now.
Before he even tried to pull away, he leaned in to kiss him once, twice, thrice times. ]
Yeah I'll go do that then. You relax and enjoy your breakfast.
[He gives a content little hum as well, holding Leon's head in his hands to keep him there as he increases the count of those kisses: four, five, six times. Any more than that and Raihan will want to spend the rest of the morning doing just that, though, in which Leon will remain smelly and his breakfast will cool down.
So he pulls away after those kisses, almost like he's forcing himself to do it, and sits up to stretch, blanket falling down to his waist. If Leon didn't realize it before, then there's the very definite confirmation that Raihan is shirtless.]
Go have fun, then. [All of Leon's preferred shampoos and conditioners ought to be in there along with Raihan's.]
[With a lazy grin that borders on teasing, Raihan keeps the burritos held up, not even fully extending his arm to keep them out of reach. Oh, to be the tallest person in this franchise no we don't count AZ he's old]
You don't trust me to get you your favorite one? Oof. Yet another critical blow. [He holds his other hand with his phone over his heart, taking a step back to add to the effect.]
[ She rolls her eyes, resting her hands on her hips. ] What I meant is that I wanted to make sure that the people behind the counter made it up to my standards. Not everything is about you, you know.
[He gives a roll of his own eyes, but relents. He lowers his arm, just enough to rest his hand against Sonia's hair, effectively trapping the burritos against the top of her head, and gives her a light little ruffle of his fingers. The food is, thankfully, wrapped up in foil, so none of it is getting into her hair, but she ought to definitely feel that they're still nice and warm.]
Aye, you win. [And just so that the food doesn't go toppling over, he'll bring the burritos down lower, arranging them so that Sonia's is closest to her.] Have a go, then.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Raihan, continuation of TFLN 9/4
[It's 9:28, and while he'd never admit it, even Leon is a little shocked to find himself in the hotel lobby not only on time, but a whole two minutes early. Never mind the fact that it had taken him fifteen minutes to find the right elevator. What kind of hotel had elevators that only went to certain floors???
Whatever, the point is, he's here, he's early, and he's looking for Raihan, though the suit he's wearing might make it a little tricky to spot him for anyone else. Yet another thing to dislike about these kinds of events. He's never been a suit kind of person. The ties always feel like they're choking him, and not even in an interesting way.
Spotting Raihan, Leon approaches from behind, a grin already on his face as he does his best to creep up on the taller man.]
Looking for someone?
yuuuuussss
That, and the fact that he's expecting Leon about thirty minutes from now, makes him jump slightly when the person he's waiting for speaks up. He turns quick, looking down at Leon - even his Rotomphone looks surprised, an appropriate 8O on its little face.]
Leon?
[He blinks, looking Leon up and down. He looks... good, but way too dressed up, as Raihan expected. Raihan himself is not nearly as dressed up, instead wearing a hoodie that isn't his usual one, loose black pants, and a blue beanie that covers most of his hair rather than shows it off. It's mostly as a disguise from the public, but his sheer height gives him away anyway.
Recovering some, Raihan gives an easy, crooked smile instead.]
Well, well. Credit where credit's due, you're actually on time.
I need to make this boy some more icons I swear
Don't think he misses that once-over, either. He might be shifting his weight to one hip, slinging his jacket over his shoulder with one arm and posing juuuuuust a little, too.]
On time? Mate, I'm early. A whole sixty seconds, even. I'd say initiative like that deserves a reward, don't you? What do you say, first round's yours?
heck yeah fill out those slots bb
What he says gets a quirk of an eyebrow, and he glances at his phone to check the time. 9:29, then 9:30.]
Wow, damn, you're right. A miracle like that definitely deserves some kind of compensation.
[Because since when has Leon ever been early?]
Oh, hold up. [He unzips his hoodie, showing a dark, pinstripe shirt underneath, but also a set of clothes he'd been hiding. He tosses it up in the air for Leon to catch.] Figured you'd be in a stuffy suit. Got you this instead.
[It's nothing special, but it's better than a whole ass suit. He even got him a snapback!]
SOON I need to find some good expressions!
truly the hardest part of making icons...
def
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
RECOLLEVERSE HARU
Probably this should be after they've been dating for a while unless you wanted to do some sort of alcohol-fueled horny teen hookup?]
no subject
Dating Naoto had been easier than Haru thought. It had scared the daylights out of her at first, this attraction to her. Not because of nerves or anything of the sort, but because Haru had been so sure Naoto was a boy, and Haru was equally sure that she herself was gay. As her attraction grew, the whole thing made her stay up some sleepless nights staring at her ceiling, wondering if she'd be bold enough to ask even with all this. She wondered if she was wrong about herself all along.
But her attraction must've been obvious enough for Naoto to notice, for the other girl came clean about herself. And Haru didn't feel angry, not at all; she felt immense, overwhelming relief. Enough that she laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks, and she had to ensure that she's alright, just.
It's all a fond memory now, and she smiles to herself as she holds Naoto's hand, walking along the path of the botanical gardens she loves so much. She's been here plenty of times, but when she's with someone she cares about, it always feels like a whole new experience. Especially with fall just beginning, and some of the plants have faded away, while others rose to take their place. She kneels before one in particular, letting go of Naoto's hand momentarily to gently trail her fingers along the soft petals of the lavender Asters that cascade throughout the edges of the trail.]
Do you have a favorite flower, Naoto?
no subject
That had been cause for quite a bit of alarm on her part-- she didn't want Haru to have fallen for her only to find out that they're quite sexually incompatible-- so she'd told the other girl, in confidence, her secret.
She hadn't expected Haru to react with relief. That had been a little confusing, but Haru had explained well enough that her attraction to Naoto (a boy) had been the sticking point to begin with. Well, then, there was no problem at all. Naoto wasn't sure how well she'd be attracted to anyone at all, but Haru was charming, and soft, and kind, and rather attractive, and... Naoto has come to enjoy the, ah, physical parts of a relationship far more than she'd expected.
Most people still don't know. She still presents masculine when she's in public, just because it's what makes her feel at ease and confident. But she's happy she can have this with Haru. They can even go on dates together.
Naoto steps forward as Haru let's go of her hand, stooping forward to peer at the flower she's being shown.] A favorite...?
No, I can't say that I've ever thought much about it. [She pauses in consideration.] There's something timeless about roses, perhaps, but, ah... that feels somewhat cliche, to be honest.
What's this one called?
no subject
She didn't particularly mind. If Naoto was comfortable with them learning the truth, then they'd know too, and if not, then they'd have to just keep believing that Haru wasn't as gay as she thought. If Naoto presenting herself as masculine is what makes her feel confident, then Haru will back her up and support her.
With that question, Haru looks up at Naoto, admiring the way she looks at the flower Haru's touching. Really, every angle of Naoto is just so pleasing to her.]
These are Asters. [She gives in to the urge to reach a hand up, letting the backs of her fingers trail along her cheek and jawline.] They bloom in late summer and early fall. They can be red, white, blue and pink, though the purple ones are the most common. [It's... probably a bit improper to just keep touching Naoto like this, so Haru lets her hand drop, her eyes back on the flowers.] These in particular are symbols of royalty and wisdom. Most purple flowers are!
Going so AU - can always change if you don't like it.
The time since Eturnatus had been an absolute whirlwind. Between moving out of his Wyndon Champion Penthouse and into Raihan's Hammerlocke home, getting the new champion up to speed, brainstorming what he was going to do with his life now, pushing through mini breakdowns, and finally sleeping in past 6am, Leon still couldn't tell you where all the time had gone.
Now though, he let out a content sigh as he gazed out the small window at the soft white fluffy clouds against bright blue azure sky. A smile hadn't left his face since he opened his eyes before the sun even thought about rising. He looks to his left and a small pang of guilt at the way Raihan has to fold his extremely tall body in the small seat of the aircraft.
He reaches over and laces their fingers together, squeezing softly in excitement. "Not long now until we're in Alola!" Leon says practically vibrating, "I've barely had a day off since I became champion, but a vacation, an actual vacation - with you Just us!!" He practically squeals, barely containing himself.
I'm cool with it! Going with my own head canons too~
He visited Alola all of once several years ago to visit his parents, who had moved there when Raihan started his gym circuit so long ago. He swore never to go back, not because he didn't get along with his family, but because the plane ride was so damn cramped. But Leon had looked so excited to go, and the thought of saying no never crossed Raihan's mind. Now he's here, legs pulled up to accommodate for the little amount of space he has, wishing for the thousandth time that he sucked it up and had Flygon take him there.
Still, every single time he looked over and saw the excitement in Leon's eyes, the joy when he'd look out the window and at the clouds passing by, all those wishes and regrets would disappear. Even now, Raihan returns that smile, the general annoyance from being stuck in his seat dissipating as he squeezes his hand affectionately. "Away from Galar, even. I would've expected a camping trip in the Wild Area, not Alola of all places. But hey, if we're gonna get away from it all for a while, then we ought to really get away, yeah?" He fiddles with his phone with his free hand, checking the notifications now that he hasn't checked it in a little while. "Gonna take some amazing selfies for the fans, too!"
Works for me! Bring on those head cannons!
He really appreciates Raihan flying so far for him, he's not that comfortable himself, so he Raihan must really be feeling it. He never realized how different it would be to fly in something other than Rose's private plane. Leon was a bit spoiled it seems, but Leon wouldn't trade it. He'd never felt this free before, not that he hated being Champion, there were a lot of aspects he really enjoyed, but having a full schedule organized for him for a decade is something he wouldn't, or couldn't go back to. Gone is the same uniform repeated everyday and replaced, currently, with travel shorts and a Hammerlocke City Gym graphic tee, hair pulled back into a loose ponyta tail. Gone are the dark circles under his eyes, replaced with well rested ones sparkling with excitement, and gone are the days of him being controlled and manipulated. Again, Leon felt free.
"So..." he starts, pausing to take a sip of his beverage. He wants to make sure he's captured all of Raihan's attention before continuing. "Alola. Are we going to make time to visit your family while we're here?" he asks cautiously. He didn't think Raihan was on negative terms with them, but they aren't really mentioned very often, less and less the older they got naturally, but he didn't want to stick his foot in his mouth if he could help it. He was genuinely curious.
PERFECT
Leon's remark makes Raihan look over with an amused grin, a fang showing as he squints an eye. "You've seen me in nothing but my birthday suit plenty of times now, hon. You just can't get enough of me, can you?" He asks, though he can't blame him. Seeing Leon in nothing but swim trunks with his gorgeous muscles out on display is what Raihan's really looking forward to the most, even though he himself has seen Leon with nothing on plenty of times as well. His boyfriend is amazingly hot, and Raihan still considers himself the luckiest man in the world to call him his. He's sure he'll consider himself that for the rest of his life, too.
Which brings him to the other matter, that being his parents. He was kind of hoping that Leon wouldn't bring them up, and he can't help glancing away and slouching a bit in his chair - as much as he can, at least. It's not that he doesn't get along with them, he's just... ambivalent. They're each living their own lives - he knows it, they know it. Leon's family is really unusual, as most parents see their kids off on their journey and then largely stay out of their lives, though they always welcome their children if they return home for a time. Raihan's were no different, though he hadn't quite expected them to up and leave. But that was their choice, and it's largely why he's so self-sufficient to this day. So it's less that he doesn't want to see them, and more that he just doesn't care to.
Still, he does have something he wants to tell them, something important, and he supposes it'd be better to do so in person than over the phone. So he lets out a sigh, scrolling aimlessly on his Pokesta without really looking at it. "Sure, why not? Mum wouldn't let me hear the end of it if she found out I visited Alola without stopping by, and I don't want that conversation." He adds a shudder to the end. His mum is a solid five foot nothing, but she could easily make a grown man cry with her sharp tongue.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
@death_calling
He never liked the taxis after he finished growing. He was so tall that the ride just ended up being cramped every time he rode in one. But this was a short trip, and a bit of discomfort was worth it for this kind of monumental discovery.
Seeing the ruined pieces of the mural broke a piece of his heart. Crude and simple as it was, he'd always fancied it, knowing that it was likely a group of children who'd been given permission to draw on the blank canvas that was the giant stone wall. A sword and a shield, resting and partially buried in a field of flowers.
Now, however, it seems that there was more to that mural than meets the eye. Raihan steps over the rubble, eyes never leaving the statues that the wall was hiding. He couldn't help but wonder what material it was made out of as he ran his hand over the stone shield, noting that they were in remarkable condition. But, he thought to himself, that could likely be because it hadn't been exposed to the elements, hidden behind the wall as it was.
Whatever, the state of the statues didn't matter as much in the grand scheme of things. He knew what he was staring at, or at least half of it. The two kings in the scrolls, of course, the ones who combined the strength to end the Darkest Day and save the Galar Region thousands of years ago. The wolves, however, were new. Nowhere in all the history books he's read did they ever talk about these creatures, who could only be Pokemon. Were they companions to the kings? Did they help fight? What even were they?
With the gears continuing to turn in his head, Raihan stepped out of the cave, then had his Rotom fly out enough to get both him and the statues in the shot. Once they were ready, Raihan posed by gesturing to the statues with a raised brow and an excited smile, his gaze on the camera as Rotom took a few different angles.
After choosing the best looking one, Raihan decided to text his friends first about this. Sonia likely already told some people, but Raihan texted some too: Leon, Gordie, Piers, Nessa, Kabu, Opal, and, of course, Olivia, who'd been in Galar for a little while now.]
You're gonna want to see this.
[Is the text he sends to her, along with the selfie. Of course, he uploads the selfie to his Pokesta right after with a similar caption. No doubt it'll be hounded by people interested in this, but they've got a bit of time, at least.]
no subject
It was one thing to help Chairman Rose with his projects for the Galar region, but this most recent arrangement lacks something professional. Two weeks before the start of the Gym Challenge, she received a phone call from Rose directly, asking for her assistance in studying Dark and Poison-type Pokémon. Nothing unusual really, until she informed him that her schedule might not be free for the times he requested.
Things become awkward after that, as she was not expecting Rose to offer her a rather questionable offer: giving her wife a sponsorship to compete in the Galar Region circuit. And in exchange, Olivia would work under Rose’s finest scientists at Macros Cosmos for the following few weeks on a project regarding certain Pokémon species.
How he knew that kind of bribe would work is beyond her understanding, but it would be selfish of her to deny Cordelia’s dreams of becoming one of the greatest female trainers in the entire world. It’s just a few weeks of scientific research, something that Olivia is okay with doing if it means giving her wife a chance to succeed.
The only thing she wasn’t prepared for was the slightly demanding work hours, the questionable attitudes of her peers who seemed more interested in how to control certain Pokémon, the devastating effects that Dark and Poison Pokémon have in the world. Just what in Arceus’ name are they studying here? She has questions on why the lab itself is located underneath Hammerlocke, not just because of the energy sources. Maybe Raihan is right, that something weird is going on here…
Not like she’d get the chance to text him about it. Strictly limited contact rules in place for any contract work related to Macros Cosmos. Heck, she hasn’t even had a chance to talk with Cordelia about her progress in the challenge, though she’s heard her wife is making the long trek to Ballonlea to face Opal. So when Raihan messages her, Olivia just happens to be calling it a day at the Macros Cosmos labs. Word of Bede’s dismissal from the challenge has already made it to her ears, but the secrets behind the mural wall are a new discovery.
One that she has to see for herself.]
I can be there soon. There’s something I can’t quite put my finger on regarding those statues.
[She’s in the next available Corviknight taxi headed straight for Stow-on-Side, getting there just shy of 15 minutes. The amount of tourists and trainers trying to catch sight of the new mural is insane, steps being blocked off by league officials, forcing people away from the site until the situation can be averted. A quick flash of her work badge gets her past the masses, leaving her facing a large hole, and deeper within, the statue of mystery.
She takes a few steps forward, shoes clicking against the stone pathway, while the long white lab coat she’s wearing swishes idly in the dusty desert breeze. Gone are the casual days of getting to wear stylish Galar fashion, as she’s dressed extremely serious suit and tie. It doesn’t take her long to spot Raihan and his floating Rotom Phone near the entrance to the newly created ‘cave’]
“Raihan! I’m sorry for the delay in getting here. Tailwinds were a little rough, even for a Corviknight taxi.”
no subject
When Olivia calls out to him, he glances her way, gives a wave, then turns back to his phone.]
Gotta go. See you soon, yeah?
[He ends the video call, letting his Rotom phone wander to his pocket for a little rest as he takes a few steps over to where Olivia is.]
Olivia! Been a while!
[He was able to briefly catch up with her before she got pulled away by Marco Cosmos, and it's just as weird seeing her in a lab coat as it is now. He's not really sure what they've got her doing, but he suspects it has something to do with her wife being a contestant, and he's not sure how to feel about that.
His hands drift to his hoodie pockets as he shrugs his shoulders.]
Don't worry about it. These guys aren't going anywhere. [With a playful smirk, he tilts his head to gesture to the statues.] Check 'em out.
no subject
Her gaze is pulled away but Raihan's casual greeting and she nods to him politely.]
It has been way too long. Apologies for the silence on my end, but work has been keeping me extremely busy.
[A job she could've said no to. But love makes people do stupid things, and despite her conflicting feelings towards Macros Cosmos, she's in for the long run with their research team.]
I must admit, I hate seeing places of tradition being desecrated, but this might just be a bigger revelation than some artwork. [She nods for Raihan to lead the way, following alongside him towards the cave.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
@logocape
But no. This right here was far, far worse.
He'd gotten the text from one of his gym trainers after his match in the finals, after being beaten by Gloria. He was supposed to stay and watch Leon's battle with her, and he knew how important it was, but the text had thrown that out the window. Rose had infiltrated his gym and kicked them out, and they were scared. And when his kids are scared, Raihan comes running.
He was right there when it happened. Pokemon began to dynamax all over his city as the sky darkened, and a beam of pure Galar particles had shot up through the floor of his gym. Oleana had been trying to stop him from going to the Chairman, but her Pokemon had dynamaxed out of control, and he had to stop them before they could wreck havoc on his gym and city.
He'd sent Rotom out of his phone to possess the generator to his gym, keeping the place running for as long as it could. Because of that, and how loud and chaotic everything had been around him, he never noticed his phone ringing nonstop, nor the text notifications going off just about every second. The roars of the Pokemon, the sound of heavy footsteps breaking ancient stone, the panicked screams of his people, and the sheer amount his heart pounded in his ears as he tried not to die drowned it all out.
Everyone held their breath as they saw the massive dragon above his gym, which then turned into a gigantic set of claws as it fed on pieces of his castle. Then... it all stopped. The Dynamax Pokemon Raihan had been fighting had suddenly shrank to its original form, and the dark clouds in the sky receded until the late afternoon sky showed once more.
But of course, of course that wasn't the end. Gloria had come to him in a panic saying that Leon was hurt, and that was all Raihan needed to race to the hospital.
It was understandable, really, that he couldn't be allowed to visit Leon even if he was the gym leader, because family took precedence, and he was not family. But it wasn't fair, he thought to himself as he paced up and down the waiting area, his frayed nerves making him unable to sit, a bit banged up himself but absolutely refusing any aid. He didn't know how Leon was, and although Gloria had assured that he didn't seem critically hurt, it only marginally soothed his fears.
Gloria could only sit and watch, her thumb anxiously soothing over the Ultra Ball that had caught Eternatus.
She could only sit and watch.]
no subject
And as Champion, maybe it wasn't part of his duty, but Leon always thought it was his duty to protect the people of Galar. Protect their smiles, protect their lives, and it felt like within one quick moment, all of that was swept right out from under him, but he tried to keep a level head. He tried to charge in and help. He tried—
he tried to get ahold of Raihan so many times, but he didn't answer. A part of him knew Raihan must be doing some protecting of his own, but it was nerve-wracking when the one man in the world who always answers their phone, wasn't. He just had to... do this and hope Raihan was okay. He didn't like what Rose did, but if catching Eternatus will help, if he had to play as one of his pawns, just to protect the people of Galar, he would.
Too bad he wasn't the one who could, being slammed around by a giant pokemon kind of limits what you can do to help. (Luckily for them, Gloria and Hopscotch were on the scene as well, stubborn lil ones.) Leon had lost consciousness for a bit, between the fight and being transferred to the hospital. And when he woke up, he was lying back in one of the beds in the hospital, hooked up to a couple machines to monitor him. He felt sore and miserable, but the thing that felt worse was feeling like he failed Galar, and still he had no idea if Raihan or the others were okay.
Raihan might notice nurses frequently passing him in the direction of Leon's room throughout his pacing, it was mostly because Leon stubbornly kept trying to leave his bed. He didn't want to rest, he wanted to check on the damages, check on his companions... on Raihan. Shit... But the equally stubborn nurses won out with the help of Hop convincing Leon to stay still, and finally when it seemed like they'd stop coming in as frequently, Hop snuck out of Leon's room and poked his head into the waiting room where he spotted Glora and Raihan. In a quiet voice he gives a low "Psssst" to try and get Raihan's attention. ]
no subject
He's also so caught up in his thoughts that he doesn't hear Hop, but Gloria does. She looks up from her study of the gym leader in front of her, gets out of her chair and goes to him, and the two of them huddle and whisper to each other.
Meanwhile, Raihan continues to pace.
Stupid, stupid, he'd been so incredibly stupid.
He should've known what Rose was up to. Should've followed up harder every time Rose cleared the gym to check out the power plant, even refusing to allow Raihan entry. A gym leader who couldn't even go into his own gym should've raised suspicions, but it just made Raihan mad and his already sour opinion of the chairman to lower even further.
He should've had tighter security on the day of the finals. Most of the people had gone to Wyndon to watch, but some had stayed home to watch on the telly or went to the gym itself to see it on the big screen. No one had ever caused trouble on that day, so Raihan just... assumed it'd be okay, like he had every year. He should've realized it'd be the perfect time to strike his city.
He should've...
He should've told Leon he loved him over and over again from the moment they first confirmed their feelings for each other. But Raihan, while not a coward, kept his heart under lock and key. He didn't want to offer it and be that much more vulnerable, not after all the pining he did and the unintentional hurt that would happen because of it. If Leon didn't feel that way about him, if he didn't feel the depth of love that Raihan did, he wasn't sure if he could keep going with it.
But now -
He snaps out of his thoughts when he feels a little hand close around his wrist, and he looks down to see Gloria with Hop behind her. It's Hop who gets his attention, but before he can ask how Leon is, Hop gives him a big grin (which is oh so much like Leon's) and gestures for him to follow.
"Come on," he said, "Lee's waiting!"
Thus, with Gloria leading him by the wrist, Raihan allows himself to be pulled along while Hop races down the hall to tell the nurses to allow Raihan in. If the two of them were right about Raihan and Leon, then Raihan technically is family, and he should be allowed in, right?!]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
@logocape, tfln continuation
[... You know, hearing Leon, who is no longer the Champion but is still highly respected and coveted by the people of Galar, who has still held the record for the longest lasting Champion, who he can never quite catch up to no matter how hard he tries (he will, one day), call Raihan something like "my lord"? It kinda does things to Raihan, more than he'd like to admit.
He can think about that another time. With that in mind, Raihan closes the small distance between them to give Leon a loving and fond kiss on the lips, then slides his hands from his jaw to his cheeks.]
How about you take that shower first. And I'll finish my breakfast while you do that.
[He can smell it all from here, even with that sweaty scent of Leon's, and it smells like the tea he likes best. Leon already knows what he likes, and that makes Raihan feel all warm and gooey inside.]
no subject
Before he even tried to pull away, he leaned in to kiss him once, twice, thrice times. ]
Yeah I'll go do that then. You relax and enjoy your breakfast.
no subject
So he pulls away after those kisses, almost like he's forcing himself to do it, and sits up to stretch, blanket falling down to his waist. If Leon didn't realize it before, then there's the very definite confirmation that Raihan is shirtless.]
Go have fun, then. [All of Leon's preferred shampoos and conditioners ought to be in there along with Raihan's.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
@puppyprofessor, tfln continuation
[With a lazy grin that borders on teasing, Raihan keeps the burritos held up, not even fully extending his arm to keep them out of reach. Oh, to be the tallest person in this franchise
no we don't count AZ he's old]You don't trust me to get you your favorite one? Oof. Yet another critical blow. [He holds his other hand with his phone over his heart, taking a step back to add to the effect.]
no subject
no subject
[He gives a roll of his own eyes, but relents. He lowers his arm, just enough to rest his hand against Sonia's hair, effectively trapping the burritos against the top of her head, and gives her a light little ruffle of his fingers. The food is, thankfully, wrapped up in foil, so none of it is getting into her hair, but she ought to definitely feel that they're still nice and warm.]
Aye, you win. [And just so that the food doesn't go toppling over, he'll bring the burritos down lower, arranging them so that Sonia's is closest to her.] Have a go, then.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
Sorry for the late reply!
No worries!! <3
(no subject)