It's been years since I last posted anything, but here I am again, writing for a fandom I've loved since I was little.

I've been writing this story in my spare time and at first, I didn't think I'd be publishing it. But time went by, I found out there was a mobile app of this site, and things just kind of happened.

I've loved the Fire Pokedex Holders since the FRLG chapter and I've always found it great how Green seemed to be the only dexholder of the known ones who was the less visibly fiery one. And since I've only ever read one good firedex story ("Hide the Guns" by ibuberu), I thought I'd write one myself.

For reference, their ages are Green (24), Gold (21), Sapphire (20), Pearl (18), Black (17)

He did not necessarily hate that they stayed. Although he wouldn't admit it, he rarely received visitors so having company once in a while couldn't hurt him, no matter how loud or obnoxious. Then again, he did not necessarily want this either. He heard their pleas, their reasonings, and though they were weak and uncompelling he ended up agreeing anyway. Maybe deep down he really did want this, but he wasn't so sure as to why he would.

It had been a long day for Green. With the Indigo Conference coming up in a month, it meant that trainers were going to cram their time and try to collect the rest of their badges since its a prerequisite to enter the league. With him being the gym leader of Viridian City, and notoriously the one who was the toughest to beat, he's had to hold battle right after battle in the last couple of days. It even came to having to extend gym hours just to accommodate the number of trainers coming in.

Green wouldn't call himself a workaholic (though his housemates always thought otherwise) but he did believe in following a schedule. Usually, that schedule would be manageable, he had been used to this type of work for nearly ten years now anyway.

It was so simple. Wake up, eat breakfast, shower, check his mail, do some warm-ups with his team, do some gym battles, have lunch, more gym battles, a daily call to the different regions, another daily call to his demanding girlfriend, the last batch of gym battles, dinner, then go to bed.

Of course, that flew right out the window. Well, most of it did.

Because of all the incoming trainers, Green found no time to eat on some days. There were times where he didn't shower even. It had become that hectic. He even had to miss calling his girlfriend a few times, which of course only resulted in having to hear her talk his ear off in the middle of the night instead.

He always found time to do the round of calls to the other regions despite it all. He just couldn't afford to miss them.

Green was thankful though that the battle in front of him was starting to come to a close.

The girl that stood opposite on the trainer box called out to her Pokemon—Girafarig—and ordered another Psychic attack. Green mimicked her, his Golduck delivering his own.

While the two Pokemon had a battle of the minds, Green glanced at the clock just above the door right behind the girl. 10:16 pm. He grunted to himself. He promised he would cook dinner today.

"Golduck, stop and use Hydro Pump." Green needed the match to finish, with him winning or not. Just as the blue Pokemon pulled back the opposing trainer raised her arm.

"Quick, Thunder!" A look of surprise washed over Green's face as electricity sparked all over Girafarig's body before a sudden thunderous burst directly hit Golduck. His Pokemon fell to the ground.

Two.

Five.

Nine.

After ten seconds had passed, Green pulled out a Pokeball and returned his Pokemon. "Thank you, Golduck."

When he looked over to the trainer, her eyes were buzzing with pride. She let out a big breath and ran to hug her partner. "We did it! We actually did it!"

"Congratulations." Green walked over to his winning opponent and pulled out a badge from in his pocket and handed it to her. "Here is the earth badge. You deserve it. I honestly did not expect that your Girafarig knew an Electric move like that."

The girl accepted then pinned her reward on the inside of her jacket. Green noticed she had seven other badges before he gave her the last one. "Yeah, I'm glad I kept it a secret. I would have lost without it, honestly."

Green hummed, absentmindedly agreeing. He was drained, mentally and physically, and was frankly not in the mood to talk. Without missing a beat he moved past her and opened the door to the gym himself. "I apologize for being so blunt but it is getting late."

"Right, of course." She returned her Pokemon and thanked Green again before taking her leave. Green closed the door behind her and began locking up. As he was shutting off the lights over the battlefield, he glanced once more at the time.

10:38 pm.

Green wondered if they were still even awake at this time.

When he walked upstairs and into the kitchen, he was greeted by the gaze of four pairs of eyes.

"You're late." Green sighed to himself.

"I know. There was a trainer." He took a seat at the counter, facing all four of his housemates.

He wasn't sure if that was an appropriate word to describe them though. They lived in the Viridian Gym with him, sure, but they weren't technically relatives nor did they lay a dime to pay any of the bills that kept the place running. Calling them housemates was too generous. Too kind.

"There's always a trainer." One of them pouted. His bright orange eyes bore through Green but the gym leader remained unaffected. "I mean I get it, it's your job. But you promised today."

"I know, Pearl," Green repeated and ran his fingers through his greasy hair. He hadn't showered today. "I can still cook something. Whatever you guys want."

"That isn't the problem! Besides, we told you we were cooking tonight." The only female amongst the four countered. Despite raising her voice she soon relaxed her shoulders and slouched. "When you celebrate an anniversary, the celebrant does not cook the feast."

Green's lips formed a thin line. He had been opposed to even acknowledging this day. Not that he had anything against today, personally. It's just that he didn't see the sense in throwing a party for the day he was appointed gym leader. It was like celebrating the day you got a job annually, which is a waste of time and money. But they urged, pleaded, and begged that they celebrate this together because they knew Green would be going to the Sevii Islands on his birthday.

"I'm sorry. I really am. I'll make it up to all of you one day." He hesitated for a minute before adding. "I promise."

All four exchanged curious glances then gathered around and hunched into a small circle. Their whispers filled the air as they quickly discussed their options. Green could have easily heard what they were saying if he wasn't running on about four hours of sleep. What they thought was 'whispering' was always just quiet yelling to Green.

Then they finally broke off and faced him again. The youngest of the four opened his mouth to speak. "Alright, we've decided to forgive you for your transgression and accept your terms."

Green nodded and was ready to just get the night over with and eat until his immediate junior slammed his hand to the counter. He flinched at the sudden sound and mildly glared at the golden-eyed boy.

"However! We have also already decided how exactly you will make it up to us." Green sighed, his head slightly falling.

"That's good Gold, but could we possibly discuss this later in the morning instead?"

"We could, but I think it would be better to give you a head's up now, just to be fair," Pearl said a knowing smile was growing on his peachy face. Green narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"What do you mean by that?" He turned to the girl, of whom he knew was the worst at keeping things vague and secret. "Sapphire?"

Just as he thought, Sapphire gave him a toothy grin. "Green Oak, current gym leader of Viridian City and Kanto Dex Holder, we would like for you to take a day off."

Green blinked. Was that all? He had to admit, that announcement was a tad bit anticlimactic. He honestly believed they would ask him to do something he never would've let them do like throw a party at his place or run the Viridian City gym themselves. He was ready to accept, even comment about how this had been the tamest request they had presented him ever since they formed this group of theirs until a few things came into mind.

He wondered what would happen should he take a day off. Usually 'day offs' meant no mention or semblance of work being done and though it isn't necessarily a strict condition for it, he knew the four that stood before him definitely had plans for that. He couldn't afford not answering his mail. He was waiting on an email from Lance regarding a few changes on the Indigo Conference as well as an email that confirmed for the shipment of more earth badges, among other things. Then there was the paperwork that would have to be written, filed, and sent tonight to the Pokemon League Association regarding the sudden day off which in turn he had to wait for their reply for the green light and…

Green let out a tired breath. "I'm sorry, I can't do that. It's too much work."

"Uh, I think you have the wrong idea as to what a 'day off' is, Green." Gold pointed out, leaning on the counter with just an elbow. "It means no work, at all."

"I meant having to issue a day off. It's easier said than done. You can't just decide to not work one day without doing a few things prior."

"Well, that's a little ironic… and very hypocritical of you." The Unovan rested his head on his hand, staring at his senior.

"What makes you say so, Black?" Sapphire asked, curious and clueless as to why.

Black did not avert his eyes when he answered her question. "You complain that it will take too much work to file a day off and yet for the past several weeks you've been working your butt off day and night. I just find that a little funny."

Green watched as his junior's lips curl into a smirk and he couldn't help but admit to himself that he had a point. However, he still couldn't afford to do nothing tomorrow.

"I wouldn't exactly pin it as a complaint, and I understand your argument here, but I just can't afford to-"

"You promised." Sapphire's voice suddenly squeaked out, which made his head turn to her. Her blue eyes looked sad and expectant, her fingers curled inward to form fists that lay on the counter. Her knuckles started to pale.

Green considered himself a good reader and not just when it came to written texts. She looked upset, if not getting there at least. He partially hated it when she did that. Sometimes he couldn't tell if she was faking it or not, but she always used it to get what she wanted. He also hated how it was so easy for him to bend when she did. He knew promising it would bite him in the end.

He gave it a thought again, then another and, despite still thinking how much he didn't want this, he gave in.

"Fine."

"Fine?" Gold leaned towards him, moving his ear closer.

"Yes, fine. I will take a day off tomorrow." Grins spread across their faces and without a care of how late it was, the four of them began rejoicing loudly, as if they had just won the lottery. Green exhaled and leaned his head to his hand. Despite how tired he was, he managed a small smile.