Well, clearly someone was going to get sick from being out in all that rain...
Chapter 10
Clemont wakes slowly to the sound of a conversation going on over his head. His eyelids are heavy and it's too much of a struggle to open them so he keeps them closed and lets the conversation wash over him as his mind drifts. It's too hot under the blankets; he can feel his skin burning up and it's hard to breathe properly. He should push them aside and cool down, but his limbs feel like jelly and he's just so tired…
Bonnie's voice. "He doesn't look so good…"
"I'll check his temperature." That voice belongs to Ash. Clemont wonders why both of them are in his room, let alone sitting on his bed. It takes embarrassingly long moments before he remembers Bonnie's stubbornness and how it ended in the three of them curling up in the one bed. Trying to think is like trying to wade through cotton wool and Clemont realises in a vague and detached way that he's sick.
Blessedly cool fingers slip under his fringe and press against his forehead. Clemont sighs in content at the brief reprieve from the heat. "He's got a fever," Ash's voice reports. The hand starts to lift away and a small whine escapes Clemont before he can stop himself (Clemont's pretty sure he'd be blushing in embarrassment by now if he was in normal health). Still, embarrassing or not, it achieves the result he wants – Ash's hand hovers for a second in indecision before settling back against his forehead. Clemont leans into the touch – feels nice – and hears a huff of fond laughter above him.
"I'm not surprised." Bonnie's voice again. Somehow his little sister manages to sound worried and exasperated all at the same time. "He spent a lot of time out in the rain yesterday."
"Yeah…"
Even with his eyes closed, Clemont can still feel the waves of guilt emanating from Ash. That won't do; no matter how nice it is to curl up here with Ash's hand cool against overheated skin, Clemont refuses to let Ash feel bad about this. It's not the robot's fault that Clemont's not immune to the rain.
He struggles to open his eyes – not that it matters, because the world is just a bleary mess of colour without his glasses – and lifts a hand to touch Ash's wrist and get his friend's attention. "Not your fault," Clemont croaks, words scratching at his sore and dry throat. "Don't –" He breaks off into a coughing fit.
The blurry patch of colour that Clemont assumes is Bonnie slips off the bed as Ash helps him sit up. "Take it easy," Ash says in concern, leaving one hand on his back to steady him as Bonnie comes back with a glass of water. Clemont drinks it gratefully, the water wonderfully soothing on his throat. He sets the empty glass on the bedside table and reaches for his glasses – luckily, they're still where he left them last night. Bonnie and Ash's worried faces snap into clarity as he puts them on.
"Thank you," Clemont says, looking between the two of them. He focuses on Ash. "Ash, please don't blame yourself. I was the one who went out in the rain without an umbrella after all."
"But you're sick," Ash says dispiritedly.
"I'm fine, really –" Clemont says, intending to get out of bed and prove just that, despite his entire body feeling like he's been running up all the stairs in Prism Tower. However, when he tries to move, Ash catches his shoulders and pushes him gently back down onto the bed.
"Nope," Ash tells him. "You're staying in bed today and resting." The robot folds his arms and nods once as if to say and that's that!
"But the Gym –" Clemont tries to protest.
"Don't worry about the Gym, I'll take care of it," Ash interrupts. He grins at Clemont. "After all, I'm a Lumiose Gym Leader too, right?"
It takes longer than it should for Ash's words to sink in, but when they do finally filter through Clemont can't help the burst of happiness that fills his heart. They're an apology and a declaration all in one – Lumiose Gym Leader rather than simply Pokémon Trainer – a statement that Ash really does intend to stay with the two of them here in Lumiose. It's a huge relief for Clemont, but at the same time so very bittersweet because Clemont knows this means Ash might never get to achieve his own dream. I'll do my best to make sure Ash can grow here as well!
So he returns Ash's bright smile and nods, hiding away the sadness he can feel burning at the corners of his eyes. "Right!"
Ash's grin gets impossibly wider and he claps Clemont on the arm before jumping off the bed. "Thanks Clemont! You get some rest!"
Bonnie darts in and throws her arms around Clemont's neck in a big hug. "Get better soon, bro!"
"Thank you," he replies, hugging her back and taking care not to breathe on her. One of them being sick is more than enough. "Ah!" he says suddenly. "Someone needs to cook Bonnie's meals and –"
"Clemont," Ash says sternly, hands on hips as he leans forward. "Stop worrying and leave it to me. We'll manage somehow!"
"Yeah, don't worry about me!" Bonnie adds brightly. "I'm gonna help Ash look after you."
"But…" Clemont helplessly starts. He's already causing both of them so much trouble. Ash will have his hands full with the Gym and Bonnie; there's no need to tend to him as well. He can manage.
"You're always looking after us. Let us look after you!" Bonnie tells him with a serious face, guessing his thoughts accurately. Behind her, Ash makes a noise of agreement and nods, arms crossed. Clemont looks between the two of them and gives in. He'd have a better chance at withstanding a herd of stampeding Tauros. "Alright," he sighs, sliding back under the covers. "Sorry for all the trouble…"
Ash and Bonnie disappear out the door as he settles back against the pillows. He's just about to take his glasses off again – Clemont can feel sleep creeping up on him again – when Ash pops his head back through the door, looking sheepish. "Actually, there is one thing you can do for me…?" the robot says, voice rising into a questioning tone at the end.
"Anything," Clemont smiles, propping himself up on his elbows again.
"Well, uh… since I'm gonna be running the Gym for the day, could you watch over Pikachu for me?" Ash asks, sounding hesitant.
Clemont blinks. Surely Ash doesn't think he'd refuse that? "Of course."
"It's just… I know you're sick, so maybe you won't have the energy or something," Ash explains, coming back into the room with a sleeping Pikachu in his arms. "And you need to rest… but it's just, someone needs to look after him while he's still recovering – he's still weak and still refuses to go to a Pokémon Center and I'm worried he'll try to overwork himself before he's healed properly and – "
"Ash," Clemont interrupts, amused at the steady stream of words. "It's no trouble. I would be happy to look after Pikachu. He'll probably sleep a lot today while his body heals – like he is now – and I know that I'll probably sleep a lot today as well. Pikachu and I can keep each other company while we sleep."
The robot grins. "Thanks, Clemont," he says gratefully. He deposits the sleeping Pikachu carefully on the pillow next to the one Clemont is using. Pikachu mumbles quietly in his sleep, tucking his tail around his body more tightly. Ash looks over the Pokémon fondly, brushing a hand over the Pokémon's ears and eliciting a second, happier mumble. "I know you'll take good care of him."
Ash hovers as Clemont deposits his glasses on the bedside table and slides back under the covers again. "Just – be careful if you touch him," Ash blurts out suddenly. Clemont directs a questioning glance at the robot – or at least, he hopes it's directed at the robot considering the world is one massive blur once again – and Ash flushes. "I don't want you to get zapped while you're sick," he explains. "Pikachu's… well, you've seen it, he's not good with people."
"I know," Clemont says. The world is starting to go hazy again and suddenly it's a struggle just to keep his eyes open. "Don't worry, he'll be –" he starts before cutting off with a yawn. "– fine."
There's a huff of fond laughter. "Go to sleep, Clemont." Clemont feels Ash's cool hand rest against his burning forehead again and Clemont sighs, eyes slipping shut. Who was he to argue with that?
/\/\/\
"Pikapiiiii!" a voice calls from beside him as Clemont's eyes flutter open for the second time that day. At first, Clemont is confused – why am I still in bed? – before memories start to trickle in. He can't help but hate how muddle-headed and stuffy he feels when he's sick.
It suddenly registers that he heard a voice calling somewhere nearby just before. He gropes for his glasses and smushes them onto his face, glancing around as he does so. He jumps in surprise when he turns his head and finds Pikachu staring back at him from the other pillow. "Oh, hello! You're finally awake," he says brightly, struggling to sit up. "How are you?"
Pikachu retreats a bit and Clemont wonders how he can possibly look threatening since he's a pathetic combination of pyjamas and sickness at the moment, but Pikachu still replies with a vaguely affirmative reply, which the inventor counts as a win. "I'm glad to hear it," he tells Pikachu sincerely, sighing mentally when the Pokémon just stares at him suspiciously.
Ash chooses that moment to poke his head around the doorframe. "Oh! You're awake!" the robot says brightly to Clemont, looking pleased. "Thanks, Pikachu!" he adds, turning his attention to Pikachu.
"Pika!" the electric Pokémon replies happily from his place on Clemont's pillow.
"Good timing!" Ash continues. "Lunch is almost ready –"
Bonnie's voice interrupts him from somewhere else in the apartment. "Ash, it's boiling!"
"– and I'll be right back!" the robot finishes hastily, dashing off. Clemont wonders if he should be worried about the state of his kitchen, if the apprehensive look on Ash's face had been anything to go by. He'll worry about it later.
"I wonder what's for lunch?" he says to Pikachu as he shuffles back to lean against the headboard. Clemont isn't feeling particularly hungry – just tired and achey and sniffly – but if Ash has gone to the trouble of trying to cook for him then he'll at least make an effort to eat.
Pikachu sniffs the air and makes a face. "Piiiiiika."
Clemont only has time to hope that Pikachu's response doesn't mean that anything's burning before Ash is back, this time bearing a tray. Apparently, everyone's going to eat lunch here, because Bonnie comes in behind Ash with a bowl piled with Pokémon food.
"Pikachu, here you go!" she says, putting the bowl on the end of his bed. Pikachu gives a happy 'Pika!' but stays where he is on Clemont's pillow. Whether that's because the Pokémon is waiting for Bonnie to move away from the bowl of food or simply because Ash is standing next to Clemont, he doesn't know. He accepts the tray from Ash with thanks, settling it on his lap. Thankfully, it seems Ash has tried his hand at soup rather than anything that might be harder for Clemont to eat with his sore throat.
"How are you feeling, Clemont?" Bonnie asks in concern as Ash starts clearing a space on the bedside table for a second bowl of soup.
"I've been better," Clemont admits, because he thinks trying to pretend he's fine is only going to earn him disapproving looks from his sister and friend. "Still much the same as this morning, actually."
Ash puts down the chair he was moving and comes back over to rest a cool hand against Clemont's forehead. It feels just as refreshing as it did this morning and Clemont closes his eyes. They flutter back open again when Ash's hand falls away – thankfully, he manages not to whine at the loss this time – and the robot reports with a frown, "You've still got a fever… actually, it's up a bit since this morning."
"I'll be okay," Clemont promises. "I just need to keep resting and drink lots of fluids." Ash nods, still looking worried.
Luckily, Pikachu chooses that moment to jump over Clemont's blanket-covered legs and launch himself at Ash with a delighted 'Pikapi!'. Ash catches the small Pokémon easily, laughing as it nuzzles into his chest.
"Pikachu!" he greets Pikachu, hugging him. "Woah, take it easy, buddy! You're still injured, you know."
"Pikachuuuuuuu."
"I know, I know, you're looking much better now, but you should still be careful…" Ash tells the Pokémon, putting Pikachu down next to his bowl of food and sitting beside him. As he watches the robot rub Pikachu's ears, smiling at the whine of pleasure the Pokémon responds with, Clemont thanks Pikachu silently for managing to distract Ash from his worry. He doesn't want his friend to start blaming himself again.
Bonnie plonks herself into the chair beside the bed and digs into the soup. She makes a face at the first mouthful, but keeps eating. Bemused, Clemont tries a spoonful of his own. For Ash's first time cooking, it's not that bad – sure, it's kind of bland (well, it's very bland) but that's preferable to something loaded with spices while he's still sick. Besides, it's not like Ash can taste-test his own food…
Ash must have seen the face Bonnie made because the robot says sheepishly, "Sorry, it probably doesn't taste that great. It's nothing like battling; I don't think I'm gonna be very good at cooking the way you are, Clemont."
"For your first time cooking, this isn't too bad," Clemont hastens to reassure him. "Besides, I've had a lot of practise; you're just starting out. I'm sure you'll get better the more you do it."
"Clemont's right!" Bonnie chimes in. "Just try your best!"
Ash grins, rubbing the back of his head. "Thanks, guys."
The conversation moves onto different things as the two siblings and Pikachu eat. Ash wants to recount one of the Gym matches he had that morning; apparently Magnemite had learnt a new move on the fly during the battle. Clemont makes a mental note to congratulate Magnemite. A small movement draws his attention to Pikachu and he sees with interest that the Pokémon has stopped eating to listen intently to Ash as he gestures wildly, describing the battle with gusto. Interesting… Clemont thinks, eyes flicking back to Ash before Pikachu can sense his gaze. Although it is easy to forget with the way Ash and the electric Pokémon act, the truth is that Pikachu is still a wild Pokémon and they'll probably have to take him back to the flower garden once he is fully healed. Unless Pikachu decides to stay with Ash, that is. There is always that possibility, after all.
He's missed out on part of the conversation while he was thinking, because now Bonnie is enthusiastically talking about something else – that one idol's latest PokeVision, or so he thinks – with sweeping gestures of her spoon. Luckily, she's already finished her soup, so Clemont isn't getting accidentally splattered every time she does so. Pikachu has finished eating as well, sitting on Ash's lap to demand more head scratches from the robot.
"Ash, have you checked Pikachu's injuries yet?" Clemont asks, resting his spoon in his soup carefully.
The robot exchanges a glance with Pikachu before he looks back up at Clemont. "No, not yet. Should I?"
"Yes, you should check how well they're healing. I meant to check before, but I fell asleep…" And Pikachu wouldn't have let me do it anyway is the unspoken part of the sentence, but Ash seems to understand. "Bonnie, could you get the first aid kit, please?"
"Okay!" Bonnie hops off her chair and darts out the door.
With Bonnie out of earshot, Clemont quietly asks Ash, "How's your shoulder?" He doesn't want to ask in front of Bonnie; both he and Ash had agreed to downplay the events of yesterday to stop her worrying more than she had been. Ash hadn't gotten injured in that version.
"Oh!" Ash looks surprised, looking down at said shoulder. "I'd completely forgotten about it, to tell the truth," the robot says sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.
Clemont smiles. "Well, I guess that's a good sign."
"Yeah, it doesn't hurt or anything," Ash says enthusiastically, rolling his shoulder to demonstrate. "You did a good job fixing it!" He grins at Clemont. "Thanks!"
"Ah, you're welcome!" His fever must be getting worse, because now his face feels flushed.
Bonnie comes back with the Pokémon medical kit clutched in both hands and Ash takes it with grateful thanks, putting it up on the bed beside him. Clemont manages to catch Bonnie's attention and pats the bed beside him; he doesn't think Pikachu will appreciate having anyone who isn't Ash close by while he's vulnerable. Although she looks a bit disappointed, Bonnie perches on the bed next to her brother.
"You need to finish your soup," she tells him.
"Yes, yes." Clemont eyes his soup and sighs, picking up the spoon again. He's really not that hungry and he's starting to feel tired again, but he tries a few more mouthfuls under his sister's watchful gaze. Meanwhile, Ash is rummaging through the first-aid kit, Pikachu in his lap. "Do you remember what to do?" he asks the robot.
"Yeah, I think so. First I gotta unwrap this part…"
Pikachu is surprisingly patient as Ash methodically checks over the Pokémon's injuries. Clemont is proud to see that Ash remembers nearly everything that Clemont has taught him so far about looking after injured Pokémon. It's unsurprising though; Ash always has an incredible memory when it comes to anything about Pokémon, even if nothing else.
There's a few things Clemont has to help Ash with, directing from his seat against the headboard, but soon enough Ash is packing away bandages and salve as Pikachu curls up on his lap. "Does that feel better, Pikachu?" Ash asks.
"Pikaaaaaa!" Pikachu cheers as he raises a paw, making the trio laugh. Unfortunately, Clemont's laugh turns quickly into a cough.
"I'm – fine," Clemont splutters in between coughs. He tries to wave a concerned Bonnie and Ash off, but the two of them cluster around anyway – Bonnie with another glass of water and Ash to pat him on the back. Eventually, the coughing fit subsides and he slumps back, his eyes slipping closed. All of a sudden, his entire body feels exhausted.
Ash's hand slips under his fringe again and he hears the robot letting out a serious-sounding 'hmm' at whatever Clemont's temperature actually is. "Well, I guess I'd better get back to the Gym so you can get some rest…" Ash says reluctantly.
Rest sounds really good right now. "Okay," Clemont sighs, making an effort to open his eyes and see everyone off properly, in any case. "Thanks for lunch, Ash, Bonnie."
The robot grins and ruffles Clemont's hair a bit in reply. As Ash starts to collect up the empty dishes and pile them on the tray, Bonnie leans in and hugs Clemont tightly around the middle. "Take care, Clemont! Get lots of rest!"
Clemont hugs her back. "I will," he promises. "Make sure you wake me up for dinner if I'm still asleep, okay?"
He feels Bonnie nod against him before she lets go. "We will!"
"See ya both later, Clemont, Pikachu!" Ash says, heading for the door with Bonnie.
"Pikapi!"
Ash turns around at the call as Pikachu jumps forward. Seeing him sitting on the edge of the bed, the robot sighs and kneels down beside the bed so he is looking Pikachu in the eyes. "Pikachu, you need to stay here with Clemont and rest too," Ash tells Pikachu seriously.
Pikachu's ears lay back, as the Pokémon slumps in dejection. "Chuuuu," he says miserably.
Ash smiles sadly. "I get it, I really do – you wanna come with me right?" He nods as Pikachu perks up with a sound of agreement and pets the Pokémon's head. "But you gotta stay here and get better, or I'll worry too much about you," he continues. "Besides, I'm counting on you to look after Clemont as well – I'm worried about him too. Can you do that for me, please?"
Pikachu looks up at Ash for a moment before switching his gaze over to Clemont and then staring at the bed under his feet. Everyone waits with baited breath until Pikachu looks up at Ash again. "Pika, pikapi!" the electric Pokémon says, placing a paw to his heart in a clear leave it to me gesture.
"Great! Thanks, buddy," Ash says with a smile, winking at Clemont as he pets Pikachu's head. Clemont has to smile at Ash's ingenuity – if Pikachu feels like he's doing Ash a favour by staying here and watching over Clemont, then he'll be more inclined to accept staying here. "Come get me if either of you need anything, alright?" Both Clemont and Pikachu nod.
With one last pat to Pikachu's head and a ruffle of an amused Clemont's hair, Ash leaves with Bonnie, pulling the door over to ensure some quiet. Clemont drowses for a minute, listening vaguely to the murmur of their voices – he can't make out words – until something taps him on the side of the face gently. The sight of Pikachu actually sitting on his chest to pat at his face wakes him into alertness almost immediately.
"Pikaaaa Pipika chuuuuu," Pika scolds him gently.
Clemont can guess what the Pokémon is trying to tell him. "Okay, I'll lay down properly…" Pikachu nods and jumps off him to curl back up on the other pillow as Clemont removes his glasses and shuffles further under the sheets.
He's out like a light the second his head hits the pillow.
/\/\/\
The next morning, Clemont's fever is worse.
Bonnie hovers anxiously at Ash's side as the robot frowns down at the sick blond. "I thought you said you'd be okay if you rested?" Ash asks, a note of accusation in his voice. "Your temperature is still too high, Clemont."
Under Ash's hand, Clemont smiles faintly. He needs to concentrate carefully despite his light-headedness in order to form a coherent reply. "I will be, but something like this isn't going to go away overnight."
He squints up at Ash as the robot reclaims his hand. "Why not?" Ash asks, sounding put out.
Clemont can't help it; even though it kind of hurts to do so, he has to laugh at how disgruntled Ash seems over the idea that he isn't miraculously better overnight. "Humans heal a lot slower than you do, Ash," he tries explaining. It's not entirely Ash's fault for expecting that result when Clemont thinks about it. Ash only has the injuries that the Pokémon and he have gotten as reference – and it's not like Ash can get sick.
Ash crouches, folding his arms on top of the bed covers and resting his chin atop them. His features aren't as blurry at this range, and Clemont watches the disgruntlement change to thoughtfulness. "You should invent something to fix that then," Ash informs him seriously.
This time, both Bonnie and Clemont laugh, although Clemont regrets it almost immediately as his laughter turns into another coughing fit. Ash hands him the glass of water from the bedside table, looking confused.
Bonnie decides to take pity on the robot, since her brother isn't up to explaining right now. "That's what medicine is for, silly!"
"Medicine?" Ash repeats, blinking. A look of dawning comprehension appears on his face. "You mean like the stuff I use on Pikachu and the other Pokémon?" He looks over towards the electric Pokémon nestled on Clemont's pillow, still seriously following Ash's request the day before to look after Clemont.
"Yes, but Pokémon medicine won't work on humans," Clemont clarifies, still coughing a bit as he puts the glass back. He has a sudden vision of Ash trying to heal him with the Super Potion in the Pokémon first-aid kit. "You need human medicine."
"I looked yesterday, though," Bonnie says with worry, drawing Ash's attention. "We're out."
"Oh, it's okay, it's not vital," Clemont reassures her. "It just means it'll take a bit longer for me to get better, that's all."
"Alright then!" Ash says, standing up suddenly. "That means I'll just have to go out and get some!" he declares. "I can shut the Gym down for an hour or so, it's not like we get challengers this early in the morning." Before Clemont can protest – really, his fever will go down within a day or so anyway – Ash has already turned to the others in the room. "Bonnie, Pikachu, can you guys stay here and look after Clemont for me 'til I get back?"
"You can count on us!" Bonnie says cheerfully, echoed by a 'Pika!' from the smaller Pokémon.
"Great, thank you!" Ash replies with a grateful grin. He gets as far as the door before stopping dead and spinning around again. "Ah, I almost forgot!" he says, hurrying back over to Clemont's bedside as he unclips the Pokéballs at his waist. Clemont holds his hands out automatically as Ash drops the Pokéballs containing Clemont's Pokémon into them. "I shouldn't need these guys with me while I'm out, so I'll leave them with you," the robot explains as Clemont blinks down at the red and white spheres.
"Are you going to be okay without any of them?" Clemont asks, looking up at Ash. He has a feeling he should argue; after all, look at what happened the last time Ash went out without any Pokémon! What if that trio of Pokémon thieves show up again?
Before Clemont can try and voice any of this in any sort of coherent fashion, Ash grins. "Yeah, I'll be fine," he replies. "Plus, these guys," he waves a hand at the Pokéballs, "were really worried about you when I said you were sick yesterday and they wanted to come check on you as well."
"Oh. Okay." Clemont's mind is too foggy to think of a reply. His fingers close on the Pokéballs. "Thank you…"
"I'm gonna come back as soon as I can with the medicine, okay?" Ash tells him, brushing Clemont's fringe aside and bending over to press a quick but gentle kiss to his forehead. "You rest." The robot straightens and waves to the other two in the room as he rushes out the door. "See ya, Pikachu, Bonnie!"
"Pikaaaaa!"
"Bye, Ash!" Bonnie calls, waving after the departing robot. She drops her hand and pouts. "Aw, I wanted a forehead kiss too…"
Clemont blinks, replaying the last few seconds in his mind and raises a hand slowly to touch his forehead. Wait… did he just… " Whhhhhaaaaaaaa?!" he exclaims, feeling his face flush bright red. He's definitely not feeling muddle-headed now. "Wha – wha – what was that?" He covers his face in embarrassment.
Bonnie just laughs, skipping over to his side. "I think it's sweet!" she says with a fond smile. Clemont peers through his fingers at her, face still bright red. Bonnie takes pity on her brother. "Well, Ash learns a lot from copying us, right?" she explains. "And he watches you say good night to me all the time, so…"
Just a form of imitation… "Ah, that's true, I suppose…" Clemont says, trailing off. But still…! He thinks he might curl up in bed for a while until his face goes back to fever-flushed rather than red from embarrassment.
"Ah, Clemont, Clemont, before you go to sleep!" Bonnie says eagerly, tugging at the sleeve of his pyjamas. "Can I look after your Pokémon? Please? I promise I'll take good care of them!"
Bonnie has groomed his Pokémon before – it's one of her favourite pastimes, since she can't have her own Pokémon yet – and they're all responsible enough to leave in Bonnie's care while he sleeps. Plus, Ash had said everyone was worried about him, so letting them know he was alright – sick, yes, but not in danger – seems like a good thing to do. "Alright," he agrees.
"Yaaaaay!" Bonnie cheers. Beside Clemont, Pikachu's ears lay back at the outburst but he doesn't move from his spot. Clemont takes this as a sign that the electric-type isn't going to spook at more Pokémon appearing – although he's fairly sure it's just humans that Pikachu seems to be wary of – and releases all of his Pokémon from their Pokéballs.
"Zaaaaa!" Heliolisk leaps into his lap, resting his paws on Clemont's shoulders to peer worriedly at him. Bunnelby hops onto the bed as well, sitting beside him as Magneton and Magnemite hover behind the brown Pokémon in concern.
"I'll be okay," he reassures the concerned Pokémon crowding around him. "It's just a cold from being out in the rain. Ash has gone to get me some medicine to help as well, alright?" This seems to cheer all of them up; they trust Ash to make sure their Trainer is alright. Clemont smiles and pats them all; Magnemite and Magneton float within easy reach so he doesn't have to stretch. He almost absentmindedly pats Pikachu as well, but catches himself just in time when he senses the small Pokémon tensing up. "Ah, sorry!" Clemont apologises. Pikachu blinks up at him for a few moments with a considering look on its face before it gently head-butts his hand with a cheerful-sounding 'Pikachu!', so it seems he's forgiven his faux pas.
However, their exchange has attracted the attention of Clemont's Pokémon – apparently, all of his partner Pokémon had been so busy worrying over Clemont that they haven't even noticed the unknown Pikachu sitting on his pillow. Pikachu looks a bit unnerved as four sets of eyes stare his way and Clemont takes pity on him. "Everyone, this is Pikachu," he says, gesturing towards Pikachu. "Pikachu got hurt helping Ash out the other day so he's staying with us while he recovers."
Clemont's Pokémon all chorus a happy greeting to the newcomer and Pikachu brightens, giving a pleased reply back with a wave. Well, it looks like they're getting along alright, Clemont thinks fondly, scratching Heliolisk behind the ears as Heliolisk sprawls over his lap, chattering animatedly with Pikachu. He can feel his eyelids starting to droop shut though and he has to stifle a yawn behind his hand. "I'm going to sleep a bit," he tells everyone, "but Bonnie will look after you until either I wake up or Ash gets back, so please listen to her."
He gets another chorus of agreement in reply as Bonnie dances around with happiness at the thought of looking after all four of his Pokémon. All of his Pokémon press close to hug him as best as they can, drawing a sleepy smile from Clemont as he returns it, before they proceed to hop off the bed to gather around Bonnie and the brush in her hand. Only Pikachu stays on the bed, waiting until Clemont has slid under the covers again before he curls up on his pillow once more. "You're still looking after me, huh?" Clemont asks, craning his neck to look at the electric Pokémon.
"Pika!" It seems Ash has made himself a very loyal friend, if Pikachu is still willing to sit near someone he doesn't particularly trust simply because Ash has asked him to. Clemont wonders if Pikachu will ever warm to him. An irrational part of him really wishes that he and Pikachu could become friends, because clearly he's found a kindred soul who cares just as much about his robot as himself or Bonnie. Right, definitely time to go to sleep.
"Good night," he informs the room at large, not caring that it's still only morning as he drifts off to sleep.
Thanks for reading! C: