I was seated at the table between my dad and Professor Sycamore while mom was across from me. It was a fairly 'mutual' agreement; and when I say that, I really mean that dad was forced to quell his frustrations if wanted to avoid sleeping with the professor tonight. There was no way he was gonna bunk with me after what happened earlier. It was because of him that my favorite shirt had holes in it! Although I had plenty of the same style stocked in my closet, it had been the shirt that traveled with me for so long. *Sniffles* I'm gonna miss it.
"Now, before we partake in this lovely meal, I thought it would be quite rude of me to not bring something in return for your hospitality, Mrs. Maple," said the professor as he suddenly put on the table a tall object. Mom clapped her hands together with excitement as it turned out to be a fancy, dark red bottle of wine. Now, before anyone starts saying anything; no: My mom isn't one to get drunk on a whim. It's more of the case that having fancy stuff is usually reserved for a special occasion. In all, Sycamore scored even more brownie points with my female parental figure.
"Unfortunately Miss Maple, you are too much young to have such a drink! But I promise that you too shall receive something as a reward for coming this far!" He said with a bit of a light laugh. Of course I rolled my eyes at his goofiness. It's not like I cared anyway...okay maybe just a little, but nothing to get worked up about.
Sycamore elegantly poured mom and himself a glass before looking at my dad with a friendly smile.
"Would you ca-"
"I don't want any of your poison!"
Yeah, he was still gonna be as difficult as possible. My mother shot him a glare, but Sycamore merely laughed the harshness off. "Of course! It nearly slipped my mind that strong gym leaders such as yourself are on a strict regime and cannot afford to participate in such luxuries! My apologies!"
Well, the professor was sorta right about gym leaders keeping to a regular training session. Unlike trainers, they weren't allowed to slack off lest they lose their jobs; although, it obviously wasn't the reason why my dad didn't accept anything from him. At any rate, my mom tried to switch topics so my dad couldn't add any more to the subject.
"Well, let's eat everyone! Wouldn't want the food to get cold!"
"Excellent idea!"
As we all reached for our utensils, that off feeling that was in the back of my mind still kept on bugging me. It didn't hit me until I glanced briefly at Sycamore reaching for his chopsticks. Oh shit! He still sucks at using those! Mom must have forgot that he was a total dork that couldn't use Kanto/Johto/Hoenn oriented utensils! As much as I wanted to care less, mom would probably make me help him or something.
But just as I was about get up, something happened.
Professor Sycamore simply picked up his pair and split them apart before rubbing them together to get rid of the splinters. What really got me though, was when he held them correctly in his hand. My jaw nearly fell off with shock. H-how was this possible?! Just as he picked up a piece of fish and held it close to his lips, the professor caught me staring at him.
"Surprised are you? You should not be! After all, you were quite the excellent teacher!"
"But I only taught you once!"
"I am a very fast learner. When you work in an occupation that thrusts so much knowledge upon you, one must adapt to process it or perish!"
"Really? I suppose that's true since you professors are always so busy!" Mom chimed in to make some conversation while eating. One of the few good things about mom was that she was great at talking. Well, she had to since dad wasn't great in that department. I wondered if I talked too much like mom. Speaking of him, dad tried to mentally distance himself from any form of the merriment; that's when it happened.
The second he tried to pick up a clump of rice, both of his chopsticks broke*. This was oblivious to Sycamore, but mom and I quickly scooted an inch away in an unconscious reaction. Dad was really having a terrible day!
My father furrowed his brows in frustration and got up to go to the drawers for a new pair. The professor continued on as if nothing happened. "Well, yes and no. While we take charge of certain projects for the benefit of mankind and Pokémon, it is our passion that drives us into the long hours of the night! Willingly choosing to cut out our social lives or endangering ourselves to quench our thirst for knowledge!"
Wow, he was so dramatic. He seriously should consider a career in theater.
"So is that why you're all the way here from Kalos...to uh...learn more about your work?"
"Quite correct madam! I thought that it would take me longer than anticipated, but your wonderful daughter has been so helpful with my research! She is quite shy and does get jumpy at times, but I can tell that you have raised her well!"
Okay, that was a load of shit, but I was more than willing to keep my mouth shut about how I really behaved. If he was able to convince mom that I was being nice for him, then I'm all for it. Dad however, did not like the fact that I was being complimented by him. The tension in the air told me that. But mom and Sycamore ignored it.
"In fact...there was something that has been on my mind as of late. You see, I will eventually return to Kalos and resume my primary duties there. In addition, there are also some new pupils that I will acquire..."
Mom's eyes suddenly twinkled as she anticipated what was coming. Guess from how she looked and what Sycamore was saying, it wasn't that hard to figure out.
"I am just very fearful that my new students will be unprepared for their journey as trainers seeing as how the region has many climates. Time and time again, your daughter has proved herself to be very adaptable! I would love to respectfully request that Miss Maple-"
"No,"
Mom was broken from her excited buzz as Professor Sycamore and I had a mild expression of surprise while turning to see dad sitting there; taking a bite of his meal in a leisurely way. He looked very pleased with himself at defying the only other male in the house. He finished chewing his food before speaking.
"An enchanting request, but as the head of this household, I must decline it. My daughter has other things to worry about after her journey than wasting her time with foolish children. I intend to pass down my title when she's defeats the Hoenn's Pokémon league. Aside from that, I don't know you even the slightest outside of being Albert's colleague,"
For a brief moment, I could have sworn that a grain of irritation crossed Sycamore's eyes, but it must have been some sort of illusion, for he then gave out a heavy sigh of disappointment. Nonetheless, I had my own issues with dad's declaration too.
"Wait dad, I um...I kinda don't want to be a gym leader. Isn't there someone else who can take your place?"
Dad suddenly looked at me like I turned into a floating head. Usually, I went along with whatever he said, but now that I had been out of his sphere of influence for so long, I realized all the different things I wanted. Even mom was very astonished by my words too; though she was probably happy on the inside that there were other things that caught my interest and ultimately prevented me from living in the house for the rest of my life. The professor, looked in my direction with some hidden satisfaction.
"May you can't be serious. I already planned our training regimen for when you get back,"
"I know...but I really wanna see what else is out there, ya know?"
"No I don't,"
"Well, it's hard to explain, but I want to see more things before I get older and stuff. Mom's always been saying that I should get out more. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
"*sighs*...May, your mother says alot of things; and the sad fact is she doesn't know what being a trainer means-"
"Dammit Norman! I'm sitting right here!"
"The POINT is: There isn't anyone worthy enough to replace me for when my time comes. I need you here to take my place. Besides, do you think that I'm going to give my title to some boy-where are you going?"
I abruptly pushed my bowl aside and stood up. An angry expression spread across my face from hearing the nonsense that dad way saying. The fact that he wanted me to be stuck here forever irked me so much! For that, he didn't deserve an answer!
"Mom, I'm gonna go take a shower and sleep! Goodnight!"
My mother obviously knew my reasoning for being upset, but made no attempt to reason with me; thank arceus. Dad tried to call out to me, but was quickly silenced by some unknown factor. It was later learned that my mom had forcefully latched onto his shoulder in threatening grip. Very swiftly, I ran up the stairs and shut the door with a slam.
...
"*meow*...*meow*..."
"Ngh,skitty...whaddya want?"
I slowly opened my eyes to a now darkened bedroom. The soft cries of my Pokémon along with her face rubbing against my cheek woke me up. Normally, I would have had all my Pokémon out, but I wasn't too sure that my old bed could handle the weight of all of them and face the consequences of it breaking.
Back to skitty, she was moving around the bed and making constant mewling noises. I had come to find that it meant she was hungry. Okay, what time is it? It better not be-dam it! Why do I always wake up at three in the morning?! Uuuh, let's just get this over with.
My eyes were half open, so my field of vision was pretty limited; making me occasionally trip over things or stub my toe against some unknown object. It was a miracle that I made it down the stairs and into the kitchen. Eventually, my sight adjusted to the lack of illumination. Yeah, I'm not gonna open the fridge; blinding myself wasn't something I felt like doing so I can have an even harder time going back to bed.
Fortunately, we had fruit in a bowl on top of the table. I took a pecha berry and set it on the floor next to skitty. The little cat mewled excitedly and started consuming the thing. While she was doing that, I dropped myself on one of the four chairs and watched her eat. Hm, Professor Sycamore was not far away from me; sleeping soundly I the living room on the couch as per custom of houseguests. Well, at least I think he was. I felt a little bad about ditching him, but I also didn't feel like waking him up in the middle of the night to have any sort of conversation with hi-"AH!"
My whole body jumped up in shock from a sudden grip latching onto my shoulder. I struggled hard with a now unknown figure that appeared behind me and tried to restrain my other shoulder. Sycamore?! That guy just won't quit will he?! Sucks for him that I have a trick up my sleeve!
"Maple style! Super unexpected grapple attack!"
I wrenched myself free from his grip, immediately turned around in a swift motion to hold onto his torso and-NGH! He was alot heavier than I thought. Alright, again! HNNNNNGH! Okay...maybe trying to lift a fully grown man like this wasn't the brightest idea to begin with.
Suddenly, the light switch was flipped and the dining room/ kitchen had now been illuminated. As a result from trying to lift too much, I lost my balance and fell right on my back with a painful grunt coming out of me. I was gonna feel that in the morning.
"May? What on earth are you doing?"
The question hit me like a bucket of cold water; sounding the complete opposite of what Professor Sycamore would say. That's because it wasn't. Instead, I was now staring up at the confused look of my father as he glared back at me. At first, I felt a little stupid, but then I remembered that I was supposed to be mad at him for what happened last night at dinner.
"Nothing...I just came down here to feed skitty and thought you were a robber or something. Why are you here?"
It was clear to him how much annoyance was in my voice, but he didn't let up the glare. "It's my house May; I'll walk around in the middle of the night whenever I feel like it," he replied harshly with a twitching frown on his face. Ugh, he was acting so mean! I know he's my dad, but was he always like this?!
With an equally upset expression, I got up to dust myself off before grabbing skitty. "Okay, night dad," I responded quickly while holding my now confused cat Pokémon and going around the offending parent to take refuge one again in my room. For a second, it almost looked like he was in shock from the cold departure, but before I could fully read the expression from a curious shoulder glance, he already moved it back to his usual angry look. Fine dad! I can be like that too! You can just forget those morning hugs then! A part of me was afraid of what he might do, but my pride didn't want me to be the first to give in and try to talk things out.
Despite how mad I was, mom was still sleeping, so I took care to softly close my door behind me and walk up the stairs. When skitty and I reached the top, I let her go and let myself plop on the wooden desk chair. The second that happened, I immediately recognized something different. For one, my legs registered the warmth of another trousered pair beneath them. Then there was the back of my neck feeling the hot skin of someone's exposed chest. If those two hints didn't tip me off about someone else being in the room with me, then I would hafta say that a hand suddenly clasping over my mouth to prevent me from screaming definitely raised a red flag or two.
Instantly, my violent instincts kicked in and I struggled against the intruder. Unfortunately for me, his other arm encircled my waist to keep my body in place. "Calm down, calm down..." A seductive voice suddenly whispered in my ear. "It is only I, my pretty Birdie: You're most beloved professor!"
Oh great, now I had to deal with this guy! While he was just a whole new set of problems, at least the professor wasn't on my bad side like dad was. I grabbed ahold of his arm with my own, and pulled his hand off my mouth. "How did you get into my room?!"
"Hmm...Quite easy ! All I did was walk up here! I must say, it is very adorable-looking considering your-"
"Fine, whatever! But how long have you been up here?! I was only downstairs for ten minutes,"
At the question, there was a pause like he was figuring out how to answer it. Although, the longer he waited, the more I got weirded out by his silence as he just sat there; now petting me with the hand that once silenced me.
"Well?!"
"...hhm, long enough to know that you talk about giant chocolate rabbits being your mortal enemy in your dreams. You must have quite an imagination to conjure up such a thing,"
Very quickly, I pieced together the realization that he was watching me sleep. Ugh, I probably looked so weird and gross being all balled up like a sandshrew while sleeping...wait a minute...he was watching me sleep?!
I struggled even harder to free myself, but it wasn't until Sycamore let go of me, that I was able to fall on the floor, do a perfect barrel roll, and quickly stand back up with an accusing finger. It was also then that my eyes caught two foreign objects sitting on my desk. Was there no end to his wickedness?! "And you're drinking in my room too?! Put that away before I make you! My room is a precious sanctuary!"
No matter what I demanded though, the professor didn't budge. What a cocky bastard!
All the while I was fuming, Sycamore did move, but it was only to reach for the half-full bottle of wine and partially fill the wine glass next to it. During this action, he kept a daring grin on his face.
"Oh dear! It seems that my hand just slipped! You might have to take it from me by force,"
That fucker.
"Well?"
I hesitated. Knowing how bold Sycamore was, he could have some sort of trick up his sleeve if I decided to engage him. Oh, and speaking of engaging, skitty was already locked onto the professor and pawed his pant legs in demand to be picked up. Never missing the opportunity to flaunt his manipulative charm, he happily obliged and put her on his lap. The cat mewled and curled up on him much to my distaste.
"Now why can you not be more like that? Soft...cute...dependent...all very attractive features I assure you,"
"Skitty's not any of those things! She's a creature of mass destruction who can make your life a living hell in a flip of a switch!"
"*meow*"
"Skitty stop licking his pants!"
My Pokémon was making it hard for me to repel the professor because her insistency for attention. The worst part about it was the lack of effort he didn't have to make in the successful attempts.
Using one hand, Sycamore scratched behind skitty's ears while his other reached for the glass. "Say what you will dear, but no matter how hard you deny it, the fact remains: Humans and Pokémon cannot truly thrive without any sort of dependent companionship," he said while bringing the wineglass to his lips. Sycamore only took a small sip before setting it back down on the desk. This was when the mood changed from 'somewhat normal' to 'very uncomfortable'. Skitty must have sensed it too, for she quickly darted off his lap and scrambled under my bed.
"Which brings me to a rather unfortunate discussion I must have with you. The subject being my abandonment through trickery that left me lost for hours in a very strange forest,"
"*scoffs* you came in my room for that? Geez professor, you act like I haven't done it before. What makes yesterday so special?"
"Well that, darling of mine, is simple..."
Sycamore got up from his seat and started coming towards me. At the same time, the atmosphere got even heavier. Seeing as how I didn't want to be in the grip of a possibly angry Professor Sycamore, I walked back with each step he took. Of course with him having longer legs, he had no trouble shortening the length of distance between us.
"I had gotten myself prepared to enjoy a bold, fiery challenge that you were exhibiting towards your father! But unfortunately..."
The back of my legs unexpectedly hit against the frame of the bed. Without a doubt, I fell back and hit the mattress. Sycamore quickly took advantage and closed in. With the aid of his arms, he trapped me on both sides and lowered his head close enough to where his soft lips hovered just a few shameless inches above mine. Oh sure, swellow can just bust into my room unexpectedly to make a couple of holes in my shirt, but can't do it now?! This is so much bull! I could see how much he now kept glancing down at my lips and wasn't focused on actually finishing his dramatic statement. Better keep him talking or else he might decide to drop the subject all together and use more shameless methods to torture me with.
"Unfortunately what? Didja stub your toe or something?"
"You know what, darling. Using your cute behavior to pull the wool over my eyes or so to speak and running off to face your brute of a father without me. I felt so cheated from missing such an experience!"
...wait what?
"Lemme get this straight: You're not mad about being left alone in the woods, but because I fought dad without you?! That makes zero sense!"
"Oh, but I think it does,"
HUH?! Did Sycamore get brain damage on his way back to my house?! Granted, he always said alot of weird stuff, but this one really took the cake!
He then propped himself on his elbows like some daydreaming teenager while his lower half put an inescapable weight on my hips. The professor's blue eyes nearly staring a hole through my own uneasy pair. For some reason, I couldn't really get over how attractive he looked while being flustered or mad. Was that normal?
"Think about it dear: A proud professor seeing the fruitful results of his wonderful pupil overcoming a daunting obstacle with a rather notorious reputation as well as removing themselves from the looming shadow of their parent. A beautiful thought is it not? Now, imagine this professor's trust being unfairly manipulated by his cute student and ultimately losing the opportunity to witness the results of his student's overwhelming power,"
Aaand this is where I started to feel guilty. Already, my frustrated face began to soften from his words. I hated when he put things in perspective. It really makes me want to be regretful about the things I do.
"So darling..." He breathed with a near whisper. His hot breath warming my lips. "...what could have possibly possessed you to resort to do such a thing?"
"Well I...it was just...don't look at me like that!"
"Like what?"
My tongue now felt super heavy to even think about helping me form sentences. In fact, I could have sworn that sand was all that I had been able to taste in my mouth. Stupid professor. How dare he make me feel bad for him! If this went on any longer, my head was going to burst! I screwed my eyes shut and blurted it out.
"I was scared okay?! You kept going on about fighting dad and stuff! All you were doing was freaking me out!"
Okay, I said it. Not how I imagined it would go, but at least an honest, coherent answer came out of me. After my confession, an awkward silence filled the small space between us for a minute; though he made no effort to relieve me of his weight. When I got the confidence to open up one eye, half of my vision saw Sycamore having a pitiful expression stapled on his face. That annoyed me a little.
"Oh darling! I had no idea that talking about your father would make you feel so anxious!"
"Really?! So the things that you heard about my dad ripping people apart in battles DIDN'T strike to you as a clue that MAYBE I was kinda scared?! Good arceus Professor! For someone who's supposed to be a nerd, you're pretty thick!"
"My dear, I only kept talking of him out of the assumption that you were already prepared for such a task! After all, your powerful and promisingly violent demeanor made the other gym battles look like child's play,"
Okay, I won't lie; my face flushed at his 'compliment'. While it was annoying that he knew alot about me by now, I didn't mind having my ego being inflated every now and then.
Now that the flattery went straight to my head, Sycamore had no problem twisting small locks of my hair around his slender fingers. And when my eyes met his again, a strange glint flashed in the professor's blue eyes. Before I could process what that meant, his lips broke into a charming smile. Alrighty, um...talk! Open your mouth and have words come out of it!
"Uhhh, thanks...so...we're cool then?"
"Oh yes! After all, it was merely the unfortunate case of miscommunication!"
Whew! What a relief! It felt like a great weight was lifted off my shoulders. Now to get rid of some that's currently sitting on me. I waited a minute for Sycamore to get up so we could retire for the night. And I waited...okay what gives?
Now he was just staring at me with that smile frozen on his features. His hand suddenly stopped playing with my hair to trail down my arm. Hold it! Was he-
"By the way darling, how was the match with your father?"
My brain got distracted by the question he threw out of left field. Automatically, I chose to answer it instead if raising any suspicions from the change in behaviors he displayed. One of the many stupid mistakes I unconsciously make on a daily basis.
"Oh! It was pretty hard, but I beat him using Chirpie in the last battle. And he used all of his strongest Pokémon too; his swellow was really powerful,"
"Splendid! As expected of my talented pupil! To overcome such a fierce challenge with your passion still intact; a very marvelous feat indeed!"
"Really?"
"But of course! There were no doubts in the very depths of my heart that you would succeed!"
"Don't you mean 'mind'?"
"Ah yes! Forgive your silly, beloved professor! I am not completely familiar with the efficient art of phrasing! Alas, it is my Achilles heel!" He responded with a short, good natured laugh. Man, he was so goofy! Well, nobody could out goof Professor Birch, but Sycamore made a very good runner-up. His dramatic and expressive apology he voiced managed to make me laugh a little.
His hand that was free, tenderly wrapped around my wrist; the thumb softly rubbing circles underneath it. But that relieved, silly moment suddenly turned in a single heartbeat when both of my arms were held up over my head by the wrists. HUH?! What just happened?! I attempted fierce struggles, but all it did was tire me out.
"Be careful dear, such harsh resistance might hurt you,"
I reluctantly focused back on Professor Sycamore to see his naive expression change into something akin to a hungry predator. His dark brows tensed above those hypnotic blue eyes that stared back into mine. The smile he now wore was showing his teeth in a scary manner. Oh no! It's a trap!
"No! Lemme go! I thought we were cool!" I exclaimed while squeezing my eyes shut at turning my head to avoid falling under his charming spell. My defense however, did little to deter his efforts in subduing me. Sycamore breathed out a dark chuckle in response.
"We most certainly are, my darling little Birdie..." He replied as his hot breath made the neck on my skin tingle. For a moment, it was silent, but I let out a shout of surprise the moment he started planting kisses at the base of my neck. That burning feeling in the pit of my stomach returned with an uncomfortable vengeance. Must resist... evil tactics!
"...it is just that I felt so lonely downstairs and got so very cold! I thought it would have been nice to have my fiery little pupil keep me warm,"
"W-why don't you just button up your shirt and get more blankets like normal people?!"
"Such overrated material things! Besides, it is proven that the human body gets warmer faster when unclothed and with another partner!"
"No wait!"
Sycamore quickly put both of my wrists in one hand, while the other pulled at my shirt. Had the material been flimsy, it would have torn a long time ago. Thankfully, I liked my nightwear to be made from thick, heavy fabric. However, that didn't mean it wouldn't tear if he pulled at it hard enough. I had to do something, but with my arms and legs restrained, there wouldn't be any way to launch any attacks...hang on...maybe if I...
"Maple style! Ultra head ramming attaaaaaaack!"
"Wha-OOF!"
The attack worked just like it sounds; me slamming my head against Sycamore's as hard as I could. My technique was literally a smashing success as it threw the professor off guard, but it hurt alot. Despite my skull now in pain, looming dizziness and the possible hallucinations of seeing dancing cleffas, I quickly threw us both off the bed and landed on the floor with a heavy thud. Now it was my turn to have the upper hand.
I quickly got on top of him to put all of my (measly) weight on his waist and subdue his arms by the wrists. My hair was now especially wild with my breathing being very erratic. You know, I should have done this the first time around.
After a moment or two, the professor got ahold of his bearings to realize that he was no longer the one in control. This is the part where I would say a quip or something to his face; a usual tradition for the heroine in the story.
"HAH! What now?! You're completely trapped!"
Normally heroines didn't have evil-looking victorious expressions on their faces, but it was a work in progress. Just look at him with that stupidly attractive smirk on his face with a cocky brow ra-wait a minute. W-wasn't he supposed to be angry? Why does he look so calm?! To add more to the confusion, an amused chuckle came past his lips that lightly shook his half exposed chest.
"What's so funny?! There's no way you can escape my grip!"
I clenched my teeth as he continued to mock my power for several more minutes. He just reeeeeeally likes to piss me off, doesn't he?! When the professor finished, he began to speak.
"Trapped you say? A very interesting thing to declare considering how small and cute you are. If I did not know any better, I would venture to guess that this is quite an excuse to have your way with me,"
"Wait, wha-"
"Truthfully, I have not had a woman try to conquer me, but what is life without new experiences?"
...he is so dead.
Without warning, I released my hold on Sycamore's wrists to latch my hands onto the front of his shirt. At this point, the idea of sleep was out of my head; replacing it with the need to beat the shit out of him. Of course the professor took it as nothing more than amusement at the expense of his student.
"Listen here you weird Kalo-"THUMP!THUMP!THUMP!
My heart nearly stopped upon hearing the abrupt noise of my door being pounded on. That was undoubtedly dad. Hmhmhmhm; it wasn't swellow, but it was definitely the next best thing. The professor breathed out a sigh of disappointment, and I had a triumphant look on my face.
"Hear that? That's my dad! And when he comes in here and sees you acting indecent towards me, he'll kick your ass out!"
For some reason though, this didn't faze Sycamore, let alone cause and major expressive reactions. If anything, he only looked inconvenienced about the revelation. But just as I thought he couldn't get any weirder, Sycamore turned on me by grabbing my waist and rolled us to where I was under him once again. Meanwhile, the pounding on the door (accompanied now by my dad's voice) grew louder. This is really confusing!
"D-didn't you hear what I said?! My dad's -MHM!"
The professor rudely interrupted my sentence by capturing my mouth with his. I could already feel my face turn red from his bold actions and was he...good arceus his tongue! The sleek organ of his unashamedly explored every crevice of my mouth before caressing mine in return. How the fuck was he so casual about this right now was beyond me. He kept on kissing me for a few more seconds before breaking it. Well, that's one way to shut me up.
"I know what you said, nor am I ignorant of your insensibly violent father threatening to break down your door. I suspect that he could come in at any moment and find us in this very intimate position. Naturally, he would most likely kick me out; probably kill me if there were no witnesses around...but what would happen with you, I wonder?"
From that statement, his grin stretched. Almost like he enjoyed getting his kicks from being so close to danger. At any rate, the obviously rhetorical question made me shiver from how much he enjoyed asking it.
"Quite simply, he would never let you so much as step a single foot outside the house for the rest of your adorable life. I might even bet that he would not sleep in his grave and haunt the wooden structure for eternity! A silly extreme if you think about it, but..."
His face closed in on mine once again with our noses touching.
"Would you be able to handle such a consequence?"
For a second, my grip loosed from his shirt upon picturing the scenario of me being forever stuck in the wooden prison and my father acting as the warden. It was even scarier to imagine his vengeful spirit forbidding me from making any form of human contact again. Good arceus, I would be a hermit forever! I couldn't be able to handle that! I'd go crazy!
The door bursted open from giving way to dad's powerful, sturdy shoulder. Wasting no time, he darted up the stairs in expectation of finding something amiss. Instead, he saw me sitting on top of the bed with a large blanketed form behind me. Mom came right up after him in her robe and rubbing her sleepy eyes.
"May, why didn't you answer the door?!" Demanded my father as he came into view.
"Well uh...I was sleeping and thought it was all I dream. It didn't click unti-"
"What's that behind you?!"
I tried my best to act natural, but dad's paranoia always saw every little detail that could be easily be misconstrued into anything. He quickly locked onto the fresh stabbing target.
His already angry features grew more furious the second he laid eyes on the 'thing' behind my bad. My mother looked rightfully confused, but I could see that the sight prompted some inward dread that would blossom into a terrible epiphany.
"Behind me?! Oh, that's just my blankets! They really got all puffy in the wash-"
"Don't lie to me! It's that idiot professor isn't it?!"
"Professor Sycamore?! No way! He should still be downstairs right?!"
My voice got clearly nervous and gave away of how much of a terrible liar I was. Even now, my body trembled slightly with me purposely trying to avoid the gaze of my parents. Speaking of them, dad looked like his short patience finally gave out. Well, it could also be his desire to find any excuse to put the professor six feet under him. Without warning, dad yanked me off the bed with one hand and firmly gripped his wooden instrument of destruction in the other. In one fell swoop, he cut the blanket and lump in half.
Mom and I stared at dad with dumb realization that he had just committed murder. My father however, couldn't have been more satisfied with his life at that moment. I...I can't believe he went through with it! He was so heartless!
"DAD! How could you?!"
"It was for your own good, May! I'll be dammed if that home wrecker can come in here and do as he pleases-"
"You killed my best friend!"
Oh, you thought Sycamore was under the covers? Well no; that would be a stupid place to hide him. I ended up shoving him in my disorganized closet while there was still time to. Currently, he was trying to breathe properly through all the clutter that he was forced to share the same space with.
With a yank of my own, I pulled my arm out of dad's hold and jumped onto the bed to pull away the torn covers. The sight revealed was the horrifying scene of my once fluffy lapras doll now laying on its side with the head viciously separated from its body. Mom let out a shout of surprise from the discovery and dad was now looking at the victim in a state of confusion.
Tears welled up in my eyes as my only real childhood friend was horribly sacrificed in the professor's place. I still think about Lappie from time to time, but it took a while to move on from the painful loss.
In the midst of my sadness, anger started to corrupt it and led me to hold up the lapras doll's severed head for both of my parents to see. "I go away for a long time and this is what happens when I try to catch up with my best friends! They get murdered by the only person who wants me to stay here forever!" I exclaimed while continuing to hold the faux head out. Already, it started to deflate from the cotton insides falling out.
My dad finally snapped himself out of confusion to try and clear himself from the mistake he made.
"May, it's a stuffed animal. There's no reason to get so emotional about it! There are plenty of actual people you can talk to!"
"Name one person besides you, mom Mr. and ?!"
"I...there's um...hm..."
The question stumped dad as he failed to come up with an answer. Instead, he tried to pull the 'I'm the head of the household' card. "It doesn't matter! You're the future gym leader of the Petalburg City Gym! You don't need to be weighed down by something like that anyway! Just look at me! Do you think I sit up in my room all day playing with-NGH!"
Dad was suddenly cut off. The reason due to my mother quickly gripping his ear to make him quiet. Other than fighting-types, mom was his only other weakness. She looked at me with a sad expression.
"May, honey: Do you want some alone time?"
Mom knew how much I adored my lapras doll, and thus gave me more sympathy. Upon hearing the question, my anger quieted down to let sadness take its place again. Pitifully, I nodded while looking at her with big, wet eyes.
"Okay honey... Please get some rest,"
"..."
The awkward silence was the only thing to answer back as my head slowly lowered back down to focus on Lappie's own again. Mom didn't try to wrench any words out of me, but instead respected the loss I sustained by dragging my dad down the stairs and went in their master bedroom. I sat there for several minutes with a painful lump in my throat and trying to blink away tears. The only thing that stopped me from crying had been the fact that Sycamore was still there.
When it was deemed safe enough, the professor forced open the closet door and stumbled out with all my clutter. Not so much as a muscle twitched to look his way, but the heavy breathing and the sound of his expensive clothes being dusted off suggested that he didn't have a pleasant time. Usually, he would make some comment to poke fun at me or be silly, but Sycamore heard enough of the situation to know what kind of mood I was in.
Still, that didn't stop him from coming over to my bed and sit behind me. REALLY?! Was he seriously going to make passes at me right now?! Didn't he notice the headless body of my lapras doll that was only mere inches from us?! By all rights, I was too bugged by his advancements and was ready to ignore anything that came out of his mouth.
Then, I felt his arm hook around my waist to pull me back into his chest. The arm with the fee hand gently framed the other side of my face and pushed my head towards his lips. It only took moments to reach the pair; and he let them rest against the temple of my head. At first, I assumed that he was attempting to have his way with me. Now, I realized that he was only doing it to comfort me.
We stayed like this for a few minutes as I took in the smell of his acrid cologne and felt the warmth of his embrace.
" ... I can only imagine what you must be feeling from this terrible loss, but do not try to dwell on it. It would be a great shame to see your heart eaten away from grief and lose that beautiful smile of yours," he said in a soothing voice while the hand against my face gently stroked the skin there.
The way he petted and comforted me created a warm place in my heart. As a result, my body fell more into his and felt the rhythmic thudding in his chest.
However, it only seemed like I just got comfortable when he unceremoniously excused himself from the bed; letting me plop back on the mattress...Did he just play with me?! I knew I shouldn't have gotten myself sucked in by his terrible charm and corrupting words! That bastard!
I quickly flipped onto my front so I could use one arm to at least lift up the top half of me. My mouth now turned down into a comical frown. The professor responded with a seemingly friendly look.
"Now there is my angry, darling pupil. Always intimidating innocent passerbyers with those terrifying expressions! I believe my work here is done,"
"Hang on! You're just gonna scurry away after being so indecent with me?! Get back here so I can hit you!"
"All in good time; but before then: Why don't you get some rest? We will be traveling in the morning. Good night!"
Before I could make any sort of remark, Professor Sycamore quickly went down the stairs and silently closed the door to my room. So he thinks he can just mess with me and get away with it?! Only when sudowoodos are grass-types!
...
"*Yawns* Oh, good morning Mr. Maple! Did you get a good night of rest?"
"Say another word and you'll find yourself lying on the floor in indescribable agony,"
Professor Sycamore had woken up on the couch a few minutes earlier. For some odd reason, he found himself with his shirt off. Hm, very strange considering that he could have sworn that it was on before he went to sleep. Nevertheless, he had a marvelous feeling of satisfaction from what transpired last night. Indirectly straining the relationship between May and her father was an unexpected bearing of fruit. While it was a pity that he did not get any alone time with his 'pretty little bird', the currently bitter mood coming from the frustrated father served as rich compensation for the kalosian. Now only if his fiery little student would hurry up and come down so he could subtly rub the victory in the gym leader's face.
No sooner had Norman's angry words had departed from him, did Mrs. Maple come into the dining room/kitchen with a glare pointed towards her husband. And yet another satisfying highlight from the previous evening. Her face was fixed in anger, but turned into a forced, cheerful smile upon seeing their guest. The wife's hand though, swiftly gripped Norman's shoulder in a threatening manner.
"I'm so sorry Professor Sycamore, for my husband's RUDE response! There was a big misunderstanding last night with our daughter and he acted so VERY childish!" She explained with a nervous laugh while continuing to crush his shoulder. The gym leader remained straight-face through it all. Although, a thin layer of sweat coating his forehead indicated how much pain he was receiving.
On cue, the professor morphed his face in a look of surprise. "Oh my! I apologize that such an incident occurred in a lovely household such as this! Is there anything I can assist you with to make your morning less burdensome?"
"Gracious no! I've made it this far with two hard-headed people living under my roof; but please make yourself at home! My daughter should be coming down soon,"
With that, finally released her vice grip to usher the tall professor in a seat that was not within touching distance of her judging husband. Then, she went to the coffee maker sitting on the counter to pour a fresh cup and serve it. Sycamore took his mug with a charming 'thank you', but Norman angrily bit his tongue to hold it lest he incur his wife's wrath again for complaining about not having any.
In the duration of ten minutes, Professor Sycamore politely turned down breakfast on the account of preferring to travel on a light stomach. Also in that time, Norman Maple forcibly shoved rice in his mouth from last night's dinner.
Eventually, the gym leader finished his meal as the professor emptied his mug. Mrs. Maple finished the chores in the kitchen and went upstairs to May's room to (for once) gently wake her up. This left Sycamore open for any non-verbal scrutiny. Already, he could feel the Johto native's gaze stuck to him in hopes of incinerating the man. The violent paranoia however, only served as amusement for the professor. Time to fuck with him.
"You know, your darling daughter has accomplished so much since she started out on her journey! I am just so astounded about where she is right now! So head strong and independent; Miss Maple insists on doing everything herself! But she has also grown very curious about exploring. It must be that burning desire to leave the nest and start a new chapter in her life! The youth are just so impulsive are they not? Or perhaps it could be something that she inherited, yes?"
Norman tried not to make any attempt to attack Sycamore; but he was making it so tempting. One of the many things Norman didn't like was being constantly reminded of May turning into an adult. While he enjoyed the fact that she was following in his footsteps, May was starting to veer off course. He had to think of something to reign her in. Maybe fake a terminal illness? Physical injury? That might get her to stay here for a while until she stayed on the path again. Possibly even get that asshole across from him to go back to the depths of hell from whence he came.
"Professor Sycamore: Go fuck yourself,"
"I have tried, believe me. It is disappointingly unsatisfying. Truth be told: There is nothing that compares to the real experience with a flesh-and-blood woman, would you not agree?"
The response made Norman slightly shudder with disgust. Not only because of what he said, but how he said it. It was so casual and without any hesitation or regard! How did this man have the capacity to become a professor?!
Norman quickly shot up from his seat with every threat ready to burst out from his mouth.
"NORMAN!"
A loud voice that suddenly tore through the air startled both men. It was more than obvious from how angry it sounded, that it came from the gym leader's now uncomposed wife. Within seconds of declaring his name, she practically flew down the steps and into the kitchen with a crumpled note in her hand. This would not be going well.
"What is it, wife of mine? It's too early to be yelling-"
"I will yell at you when I feel like it! You've really done it now!"
Without warning, Mrs. Maple thrusted the crinkled note into her husband's face. Norman quickly processed the thing for a second and grabbed the paper. He would come to find that its words scribbled on there marked him for the worse.
Mom,
Still upset over Lappie's death. He's too big to flush down the toilet, so I'm burying him. Need some alone time to try and move on.
~ May
The gym leader read over the words once more to make sure he didn't miss anything before looking up at the frustrated wife. Meanwhile, Sycamore watched with hidden amusement. "She's STILL mad about that? This is ridiculous! May just needs to get over it; she'll bounce back,"
"May doesn't have any real friends to do that! I should have known better than to let you fill her head with ideas about boys being evil and whatnot! Now she'll probably go and destroy something to vent her feelings!"
"*Scoffs* you make it sound like it's a bad thing! At her age, I always directed my rage at-OOF!"
Norman was suddenly silenced by his wife's quick grab on the shoulder and was forced to sit down again. The once homely atmosphere instantly changed into one akin to a torture chamber. Mrs. Maple's sight now glared down at her husband with ill intent.
"...wife of mine...what are you doing? I actually need to go to wo-"
"You're taking the day off!"
This marked Professor Sycamore's cue to leave. Naturally, he easily avoided getting the wife even madder. "Pardon me ma'am, but if your wonderful daughter has indeed run off in heart-broken trauma, then you must allow me to go fetch her and help...channel those negative feelings in a more positive manner!"
"As if I would let you-NGH!"
"Oh heavens, I really would like that very much! My daughter can be a handful sometimes, she really is a sensitive girl deep down! Please, go right ahead on your way!" She said with her cheery persona briefly showing on Sycamore's account.
"My husband and I have SO MUCH to discuss anyhow!"
"Very well; and do not worry yourself! I will take excellent care of your daughter!"
"Wait! Get back here you son of a-" SLAM!
Professor Sycamore promptly closed the door in front of the Maple residence with a great feeling of satisfaction.
"And now my darling; the hunt begins again,"
* Continued in Chapter 26*
*Breaking your chopsticks: Breaking one of your sticks is a sign of a bad omen, but breaking both of your pair is a sign of major bad luck.
- credit for fact about warming the body goes to quora site.