[Edited]
A pouting girl with curly, chocolate hair could be seen poking a frustrated boy's cheek over and over. "Oh, come on, Hilbert! I don't feel like going alone. Why don't you want to go with me?"
Hilbert let out an exasperated sigh and grabbed the young girl's wrist, mentally counting to five and trying to calm down a bit to prevent public murder. "Stop it, Hilda! If you keep doing that, I swear our friendship will be forgotten and so will my sanity!" he hissed, his cheeks flushed with vexation. Hilda stepped back with her hands up in defence. After taking a few breaths, her friend's appearance turned sort of peaceful. "Look, I can't go to the Battle Subway today. I'd like to, but I can't, okay?" the boy explained slowly, as if he was talking to a toddler. He paused to check his Xtransceiver. "You should go alone. I mean, you usually go with me, why don't you try the Single Trains for today?" he asked, still busy with the communication device.
Hilda looked down and folded her arms in a pensive manner. That meant a possible battle, or at least, a brief meeting with Ingo. Just thinking about him made her stomach churn anxiously, but her dislike for going without company was much stronger and uncomfortable than that. All right, that was a terrible lie. If Hilda had to be completely honest with herself, she'd rather go with someone else only to have an excuse for being there. In her mind, the reason 'I'm here to have fun beating the crap out of other trainers' didn't work. For no one. Don't judge her though. That happens to most girls who have a little crush on a man twice their age, or better said, a crush in general; they try not to be so obvious. And in this case, Hilbert had been Hilda's excuse to hang out with the Subway Bosses from the beginning. More precisely, since seven months ago, when they narrowly reached the status of acquaintances. But now, despite the confidence that had blossomed between them, she still felt a little embarrassed without a significant justification.
"Hilda, are you listening? Stop daydreaming!
"... Eh?"
"Geez! I said I'm leaving! Cheren and Bianca want to take a walk around the city, and you know that girl loves Nimbasa with all her organs." He shivered a little at the thought of the hyperactive blonde girl and her special love for the ferris wheel. "Anyway, are you coming with us or do you prefer the Battle Subway?"
There wasn't much to think about. Hilda really liked the couple, and sure, they were a great pair of awesome childhood friend and all, but that certainly didn't compare to how much she liked the older Subway Boss. Hilda wasn't the kind of girl who put the man with whom she had developed an intense infatuation first than everyone, but she had to admit that the idea sounded tempting.
It was a little strange though. Unlike the only short-lived crush she had experienced before, Hilda used to be a little afraid of Ingo rather than attracted to him when first meeting. It wasn't until a month later that Hilda considered –in addition to fear– the chance of being greatly interested in him at the same time. Truth be told, both twins used to scare her to death at the beginning. Hilda merely got used to the younger twin's way of invading people's personal space and his almost permanent smile and good mood. Emmet was like a physically developed child in most aspects, and perhaps that was the reason for them getting along so well; having him around was amusing, especially when he experimented once of his childish attacks, as Ingo labelled them.
But in spite of finding the younger Subway Boss so kind, like a bigger brother, the situation was completely different with the older twin. He was overly serious at times, so cold and quiet that talking to him took Hilda a whole lot of courage. However, she couldn't help finding him hellishly appealing, and for sure, the conversations they both shared in the car after he swept it with her Pokémon had something to do with that. There had been a few times when he had smiled and even chuckled or laughed here and there, totally leaving behind the book he was reading. And even if she never got to defeat him, those chats made it up for the lost battle. Oh, Hilda actually did miss those little talks. Unfortunately, she didn't take the Super Single Trains so often back then. The last time had been two weeks before, which she found it simply too much, but her paranoia wouldn't let her be. No matter how much Hilda needed to met Ingo again, she just was unable to pay him a visit out of the blue.
"WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU WOMAN?!"
"Gaaah!" Hilbert watched his dreamy friend give a startled, short leap. "I'm so sorry!"
"WHEN A PERSON IS TALKING, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO LISTEN. DIDN'T YOUR MOTHER TEACH YOU THAT?
"Sorry, sorry!" Hilda repeated, looking around sheepishly at the people sending them the nastiest stares. "But stop yelling. We are in public!
Hilbert's tantrum ceased. He rubbed his eyes and inhaled deeply like a worn out runner. "I wonder how much time you would have stayed like that without further interruption," he commented aloud, calm in the surface. "I'll ask one last time. Are you coming or not?"
All right, now there was much to think. To go or not to go, that was the question.
"If I was you, I'd head to the Subway," Hilbert had unexpectedly suggested. "I believe you need some training, for the cause."
Hilda appeared to be contemplating his words. "Hey, that really sounds like a potential excuse."
The boy quirked an eyebrow. "What?"
"Nothing," Hilda said quickly. "You're right. I'll pass this one. I'd rather go to the Battle Subway; I want a challenge again." Yeah, sure. "Tell the happy couple I say hi!"
"Fine. Try not to leave your body empty again. Something bad could happen to you," Hilbert half scolded, half advised with a bored expression, already spinning on his heels. "See you later."
"I can't promise anything, but I'll try. Bye!"
He left.
Hilda hesitated for an instant, but she eventually turned around and set off to the Gear Station. It wouldn't be the first time you're going on your own, so don't be such a drama queen and just go.Yeah, she had found the spirit. My intentions aren't noticeable. I'm merely paranoid. The young girl kept walking with that phrase stored in her mind until she reached her destiny. Thanks to her iron will, she had managed to silence her mind and unwilling thoughts in the way, gaining a nonchalant attitude... that expectedly disappeared just as it came. Standing on the cement stairs by the entrance of the large building, Hilda checked the time nervously.
13:46
They had to be in a break. Meaning there wasn't anything wrong if she showed up, was it?
No, absolutely no. She had showed up before with Elesa, who originally had initiated the recurrent habit of hanging out with the twins during their lunch. Hilda hadn't been alone, but she hadarranged this sort of gatherings with the men. All right, enough thinking. Enough excuses. She was doing this. The younger Subway Boss had offered this to Hilda more than once. She evidently was allowed to drop by on her own. And so, the trainer stepped into Gear Station and headed to Ingo's office past the halls and rooms for employees at the end of the ground floor, where the eldest twin would normally read and sign some papers as usual while having lunch in his brother's company. Hilda found it common. A man like him would always ignore the real definitions of the words 'rest' and 'break' despite the obvious connection.
The flustered girl was marching across the empty halls when she felt someone grab one of her arms from behind, and all at once, she was turned around, lifted in the air and carried on a man's shoulder. Hilbert's advice echoed through her mind suddenly and this time his words didn't sound so pointless. To her luck, the person who was carrying her was just an innocent maniac.
"AH! Emmet, let me go!" She was determined to make it sound like an order, but failed miserably.
The Subway Boss grinned madly, hugging the girl's waist and legs so she couldn't escape. "Say the magic word and I'll take your order into account."
"Wha...? No way! Let me go nowor I'm going to start kick–!
"Say it."
Hilda sighed softly. "Please?" she begged in a resigned, joyful tone. Her feet finally touched the floor. "You'll never stop doing that, won't you?"
"You'll never stop enjoying it, won't you?" The man in white countered, a playful smile curving his lips.
Hilda snorted. "Shut up."
"You were going to my brother's office, right?"
"Yeah. I was going to surprise you two, but I guess I'm not half as good at you."
Emmet chuckled and put his arm around Hilda's shoulders. "I was heading there too. Let's go"
They walked the short remaining distance to the office together. Why am I doing this? I can still escape... The cheerful man pushed the door open, practically announcing their entrance to the whole region. Too late... Never mind.
"Brother, look what I brought!"
"Please, not another lost Pokémon..." came the weary response from the back of the bright office.
"Oh, no. This is so much better. Hilda is here!"
The spent tone persisted. "You didn't kidnap her, did you?"
Emmet giggled. "Nope"
"He tried though," Hilda commented in a rare, shy voice, not fully stepping inside.
The moment she saw the older twin, her face instantly got hotter and her stomach churned oddly. As any other day, all would be about nerves at the beginning. It was just a matter of time. With a few minutes, and in addition, with Emmet's presence, the teen would easily work out a way to leave her sheepishness behind. Hilda spotted the man in black was sitting at the desk, reading some papers, and noticed he hadn't looked at her or at his younger brother yet. There was a cup of coffee near the stack of unread papers, along with his cap and gloves. Ingo's gaze never left those darn papers, but Hilda could see the faint smile on his face after hearing her voice. And that was enough for her. No more fake excuses.
The Subway Boss in white hung his cap, gloves and coat from the rack in the corner of the room, then laid down on the couch below the only window while Hilda looked around the office. She really liked the way it was always organized. Maybe that's why they took their break there. Taking a chair and turning it in the opposite direction of the desk, Hilda sat down in a straddling pose, placing her crossed arms onto its backrest and on top of them, her chin.Time to kill the tension."So, have you two eaten?"
"Yes" chirped Emmet, rubbing his face in a cushion. "Which reminds me it's time for a nap."
"Don't make yourself so comfortable. We are leaving in a couple of minutes." Ingo's gaze finally focused on Hilda. "How strange. You are here without Elesa."
In the same position, she shrugged her shoulders. "I wanted to surprise you. Plus, I was bored."
He chuckled. "I am glad we can entertain you..." the Subway Boss took a pen, signed the paper he had been reading and moved it aside. "I haven't see you in a few days, are you here to challenge me again?"
"She's probably here for a new beating up," the half-awake man on the couch mentioned smugly.
Hilda narrowed her eyes at his nearly sleeping form. "Actually..." Her eyes returned to Ingo. "I'm here to bother you a bit. No challenges. My team needs a rest." She lifted her head and added, sarcastically, "if you know what that means, of course."
Ingo raised an eyebrow. Those kind of comments about his non-existent tendency to rest would never cease. "Bother me?"
"Yeah. I've been following around that thing too much lately." She pointed to Emmet. "It's your turn now."
A sincere smile appeared on the man's face. "As you wish... Now, 'that thing' must get up."
"I'll do it if you say the magic word."
Emmet looked up at his brother with a goofy smile, but upon finding nothing else than a particularly serious frown, he chose to get up quietly, mumbling an 'okay' under his breath. Hilda giggled a little at that scene. Both men put on whatever clothing they had taken off and came back to their duties along with their friend.
.
Watching through the window wasn't entertaining in the least. All was literally grey outside.
However, the way the car shook because of a surprising change of direction didn't get old and would mostly cause Hilda to experiment an odd, not totally unpleasant feeling. She wasn't sure which was the reason of said sensation though; the shaking, or the man's very presence. Aside for the engine's sound, the car was silent in a strange yet comfortable manner. After an absorbing conversation about their past battles with certain Gym Leaders, both people were sitting on the blue seats facing each other.
Hilda just wanted to break the cosy silence and get closer to the man across her. 'Mmm, let's see. What would Elesa do?'Oh, no. Scrap that. The blonde Gym Leader wasn't the best role model in this case, considering she was excellent at attracting men but not interested in keeping them at all. Besides, she had known the twins for years; a very different situation. Hilda sighed, her inner voice defeated, and stood up to take a better seat, precisely next to Ingo, perhaps a tad closer than necessary. Her hands immediately fell onto her thighs and their legs touched slightly. She felt cheeks heat up when he looked at her, then down at their legs, but she somehow overcame it. "You aren't reading a book. Weird."
Where the hell did that come from?
The corner of his lips raised and he stared intently. "I have been reading too much recently. I think my eyes might be quiet tired."
Hilda scowled at the obvious fact. "No. Youare tired, and it doesn't surprise me. Staying until two in the morning reading those damn papers and sleeping less than five hours isn't healthy."
"We have already discussed this, Hilda. It is part of my work."
The teen folded her arms. "Do you take naps, at least?"
"Unwittingly, only. I am not supposed to sleep while I am working, Hilda," he answered, looking away.
"Workaholic," muttered Hilda, blue eyes holding a dull glint of concern.
The Subway Boss put a pin on his pride and glanced at their legs again. He waited for Hilda to notice, waited for her to put some distance, but that moment didn't come. Despite the fabric of his uniform, the spot Hilda's skin was touching began to tingle. Ingo couldn't understand why he hadn't put a stop to their actions, couldn't think straight about it. Without reasoning, he moved his leg softly, brushing hers a bit more.
Unsure about the man's intentions, Hilda wondered whether or not she was hallucinating, but she gave in too, and moved even closer. Her heartbeat increased drastically as he let out a weak gasp, silenced by the sound of engines.
Had some people been there, they surely wouldn't have realised what was going on. Only they were able to perceive the slow motion in which their legs brushed against each other, and despite of being totally out their minds, deep inside, they knew the other was allowing the contact to happen. No matter how discreet, there was much more to the touch than what met the eye; it was a mutual display of affection, and it felt unbelievably pleasing...
Or so it did, until the man in black realised what they were doing. What hewas doing.
Moving aside, he put an ending to the suggestive contact. Their gazes met for a brief second and then Ingo looked away, once again, as though nothing had happened. They remained quiet for a long time, Hilda mentally praying for a challenger to enter the car right there and revive their surroundings.
It was not until Ingo gathered the shredded remnants of his courage and turned his gaze to the embarrassed trainer that the atmosphere lit up. "Are you planning to challenge the League Champion?" he asked in a desperate attempt to dispel the awkward tension. "You have already won all the badges a long time ago."
Understanding his purpose, she nervously played along "Eh... I-I've considered it, yes, but Alder is a tough opponent... I mean, he's the Champion and can defeat whoever comes across him, whereas there are a few people that I still can't handle in a battle, like you, for example." She fidgeted with her hands. "I-I don't think I'm ready."
Her stuttering proved that the conversation wasn't much of a distraction. "Well, I believe you are close to defeat me," he mentioned openly, catching her full attention.
"... What makes you think that?"
"Our battles. You are the only adversary who manages to defeat my first two Pokémon, aside from Emmet and Elesa."
"Yeah, your Chandelure is way too strong. Samurott did his best last time an with type advantage and all couldn't win."
"But you two were excellent. I dare to say you almost won last time."
"Thank you." Hilda put her arms behind her head. "You know, when I finally manage to beat you up, Alder is going to be the next. What do you think?"
Ingo let out a chuckle. "I am very flattered. A battle with me defines your choice? You will need a lot of lucky charms though."
Without moving from their spots, they kept on chatting about countless subjects, ranging from battle strategies to a typical day in their lives. Other than their little confusing moment, Hilda didn't avoid any topic. They knew there would be enough time to think about it later, after all.
They solely needed an instant they could squander on thoughts.