A/N: Hi everyone, I hope you're all doing great! This is just a little story I decided to do in order to make up for not updating my main story as often as I'd like. I'm thinking this one is going to be a two or a three shot! Please enjoy and remember...I don't own Pokemon!
A Simple Kiss
Kellyn, a Rank 11 Top Ranger, was on his way to the Ranger Union after a long day of helping out citizens. Achieving the highest rank among Top Rangers around the world was no easy task, as two months prior, Kellyn needed to infiltrate the Hippowdon Temple, as Kincaid, the only member of Team Dim Sun who escaped him before, took over the sacred site and was holding tourists, tour guides and Pokémon hostage. After saving everyone quickly without any casualties or injuries, Chairperson Erma rewarded Kellyn with the coveted Rank 11, a title no Top Ranger in Almia had aside from him.
A week after the successful rescue, Linda, a Top Operator, finally proclaimed her love for Kellyn, something which everyone was happy for. However, Linda put Kellyn on the spot when she announced how she felt in front of more than a dozen of their friends, meaning that if he were to reject her, it'd be quite a scene to say the least. Kellyn had some feelings for Linda, especially with her help during the Hippowdon Temple incident, where she gave him some intel of a few dangerous Team Dim Sun admins lurking nearby, effectively preventing him from becoming a hostage himself.
As Kellyn arrived at the Ranger Union and entered, he said hello to everyone before heading to the third floor, which was solely dedicated to the Top Operators' workstations. Once Kellyn was finished with his usual greetings, he went upstairs to the Top Operator's Room and saw Linda…kissing Marcus passionately. The young Top Ranger rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was simply overworked and just imagined things, however, to his utter shock, what Kellyn saw was actually happening.
"Linda…I can't believe you…" Kellyn said as the two Top Operators turned around, stunned to see Kellyn standing there.
"Oh…K-Kellyn, it isn't what it looks like!" Linda said as Kellyn scoffed.
"Yeah, I can see your makeout session isn't you cheating on me at all, make any excuse you want, cause I'm done." Kellyn said as he turned to leave, hearing Marcus chuckle.
"Poor guy, he should just run and cry to Luana." Marcus said.
Kellyn sighed in annoyance and headed downstairs, not wanting to get into an argument or say anything he'd ultimately regret. Shoving his hands into his pockets, Kellyn went to Pueltown where he knew Luana would be working ever since she was promoted to be the supervisor of the Top Rangers in the area. Luana got the promotion thanks to how hard she had been working in Vientown two years prior, in fact, she was even recommended by Barlow, Vientown's Ranger Base Leader. Chairperson Erma had Luana's assistance quite a number of times with regards to Team Dim Sun's movements in Vientown and was more than happy to promote her thanks to her invaluable help. Kellyn couldn't help but smile at how many things he and Luana had achieved, especially with them being the same age as their friends, Sven and Wendy, a pair of Top Rangers who were almost as serious powerhouses like they were. The quartet of friends were so tight knit that most people assumed they were distant relatives rather than friends who graduated Ranger School together.
Speaking of Top Rangers, they were their own bosses, however, they still needed someone to report to so that they didn't do whatever they pleased. Of course, the only Top Ranger that had free reign to do anything he wanted was Kellyn, considering that he saved Almia singlehandedly from Team Dim Sun, as communications at the Ranger Union being down, effectively leaving the entire Union in the dark about what was occurring in the building.
Kellyn walked down Union Road and eventually reached Pueltown after some time. The Top Ranger wished he had brought Pachirisu along for company once he saw all of the Pokémon frolicking with Pokémon Rangers, Trainers or the elderly, but his grandmother enjoyed the playful little Electric type, so Kellyn was happy that his Partner Pokémon could comfort her. Once Kellyn reached the main part of Pueltown, he inwardly berated himself upon realizing his mistake.
'Man…great going Kellyn, how can I go all the way to Pueltown without first asking Luana if she was busy or not? Let me call her on my Styler…if she is busy then that's no problem, I should've been smart enough to ask.' Kellyn thought to himself as he called Luana's number.
To Kellyn's surprise, he heard Luana's ringtone nearby, which was just the same ringtone a Styler makes when a Ranger gets an incoming call, only Luana's was higher in pitch. Not even a second later, Luana answered, making any sadness Kellyn still felt from the situation with Linda quickly fading.
"Why hello Kellyn, how are you doing today?" Luana asked, her sing song voice making Kellyn shiver.
"Hi Luana, I'm doing good, how've you been?" Kellyn asked as he looked around for Luana, only to be unsuccessful in finding her.
"Hmm, you know Kellyn, I've known you for years now…so I can tell when you're lying." Luana said.
"Really? I mean, we've been best friends for years but there's no way you could know when I'm lying." Kellyn said.
"Yes I can…because you're really bad at it." Luana said.
"W-what?! You're a bad liar too Luana! You couldn't even lie to Murph about where we hid his FanFiction prompt!" Kellyn said as Luana giggled.
"I remember that, that prank we pulled was hilarious! But…getting back to what I stated earlier… you were lying after all! Well…since something's got you down, then we can talk about it if you'd like, is that okay with you?" Luana asked.
"Of course Luana, I'd love to!" Kellyn said.
"Good, that sounds like the Kellyn I know, alright, where are you at?" Luana asked.
"I'm right by Pueltown library, if you want, I could just meet you up instead!" Kellyn said.
"Oh no that's no trouble at all, I'm actually nearby!" Luana said.
"I figured as much, I knew I heard your ringtone when I called…but I didn't see you anywhere." Kellyn said as he felt a light tap on his left shoulder, making him turn around quickly.
"Hi Kellyn! I knew I'd confuse you, all I did was silence my Styler and hide out of sight, it was pretty funny seeing you look so flustered!" Luana said as the two hanged up their Stylers.
"Geez…Luana, you surprised me really good! I hope I didn't bother you." Kellyn said as Luana lightly snorted.
"You're never a bother to me, Kellyn. I could tell how troubled you sounded when we spoke, but in person…you just sound so heartbroken." Luana said.
"That bad huh? Heh…you know me so well Luana…would you like to go somewhere private so we can talk about what's on my mind?" Kellyn asked.
"Definitely, there's an empty bench over there that people and Pokémon don't frequent." Luana said as the two walked over to the bench and sat down.
Kellyn took a deep sigh, wondering if he should just say everything in a slur of words or maintain his usual level of composure that he always had, either way, Kellyn knew he needed to emphasize how he felt about Linda's betrayal.
"I don't even know if I should even say anything too specific…especially because seeing it firsthand is so painful." Kellyn said.
"I get what you mean Kellyn, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to, I won't force you." Luana said with a smile.
"Well…if I didn't have you to talk with then the only other person I would go to would be my mother!" Kellyn said.
"If your mother found out what Linda did than that'd be the end of her…actually…that doesn't sound too bad…go tell your mom what happened!" Luana said.
"What?! No way Luana!" Kellyn said as Luana chuckled.
"I know, I know…just pulling your leg to lighten the mood." Luana said.
"Thanks, that's what I needed…so, it's nothing too major, but…I saw Linda in the Operators' Room…kissing Marcus…" Kellyn said as Luana gasped.
"Kellyn…I'm…I'm so sorry…is there anything I can do to help at all?" Luana asked.
"As silly as it sounds, I could really use a hug right now." Kellyn said.
Without any hesitation, Luana soon embraced Kellyn, surprising him as he immediately gave a comforting hug of his own. Luana affectionately rubbed the back of Kellyn's spiky brown hair with one hand, while the other was on his back, which managed to make some residents wonder if the two were lovers based on their close proximity to one another. Kellyn's soft and warm touch gave Luana tingly feelings all over as the two hugged each tightly for a few seconds more, soon breaking the embrace as Kellyn smiled.
This compassionate embrace was Kellyn and Luana's way of showing their unity and tight bond, as the two were so close to one another and knew one another's secrets as well, to the point where there wasn't anything one didn't know about the other. This would even extend to when someone would call them, as Kellyn knew everything about Luana and vice versa, further exemplifying their level of trust.
"There you go, how was that?" Luana asked.
"That was great, thanks Luana!" Kellyn said.
"Not a problem, it's always good to cheer up someone I care about!" Luana said as Kellyn blushed ever so slightly.
'Blushing huh? Kellyn's never done that before…how interesting…' Luana thought to herself.
"I'm glad you're so supportive, now then, I haven't kept you too busy from your work, have I? Please boss, don't fire me!" Kellyn said as Luana rolled her eyes.
"Ugh, you know I hate that word, I'm just Luana. To answer your question, no, you didn't, I finished my shift about an hour ago. In fact, I was about to call you and see how you were doing but you beat me to it!" Luana said as she put her arm around Kellyn, making the Top Ranger blush a bit darker than before.
"Hahah, sorry about that! But sitting here with you…I feel much more relaxed now, I just couldn't believe that Linda would hurt me so much you know?" Kellyn asked.
"I understand, that's just horrible of her…it's even worse considering that she and Marcus were in the Operator's Room. Still, don't let them get to you, it hurts, but you'll move on and find someone better and then you'll be happy." Luana said as Kellyn smiled.
"I just love your optimism, it's so contagious!" Kellyn said as he noticed Linda out of the corner of his eye, with Marcus standing right beside her.
"Well look at what we have here, it seems like you forgot about me already Kellyn, good for you." Linda said as she glared at Luana.
Luana was completely unfazed, while Kellyn looked down at his shoes. Even though the two friends could stick up for themselves and one another, Kellyn opted to stay silent for fear of causing a scene in public.
"Actually, you're the one who forgot about Kellyn, how could you do something like that to him? Do you have any shame?" Luana said through gritted teeth.
"Watch it there, no need to talk to my girl that way. How about I knock some sense into you?" Marcus threatened as he took a step forward.
Kellyn moved with the speed of a Raikou and got on his feet, looking down at Marcus with rage. Marcus, stunned by Kellyn's complete change in temperament, backed off like a terrified Dunsparce and hid behind Linda.
"I think you two should get out of my sight and learn to think before talking about Luana like that ever again. Now leave." Kellyn said as Marcus and Linda became wide-eyed, nodded and left without uttering another word.
Since Kellyn was facing away from Luana, what he couldn't see was her overjoyed grin…and a noticeable blush on her face. After Marcus and Linda were finally out of Kellyn's field of vision, he sighed and sat back down on the bench.
"Kellyn, don't feel disappointed, you stuck up for me and I can't thank you enough for doing that." Luana said.
"Thanks Luana, I wasn't about to let Marcus hurt you. I'm just glad things didn't get dicey…it wouldn't have been a pretty sight." Kellyn said as Luana put her arm around Kellyn, eliciting another blush from him.
"Yeah that's right, it would've been bad…for Marcus that is. You're so modest about the fact that you're a great kickboxer, I don't think any Pokémon would be able to beat you in a one on one!" Luana said.
"Really? What about a Hariyama?" Kellyn asked as Luana giggled.
"Well…maybe you'd win instantly…I mean a Hariyama isn't that strong!" Luana said as Kellyn chuckled.
"Hah, what would I do without a friend like you?" Kellyn asked as Luana's Styler began to ring.
"Easy, you'd be bored without an awesome friend like me! Let's see…huh, Sven's calling…he almost never calls. Sorry Kellyn, one second!" Luana said as she answered her Styler.
"Hi Luana, good afternoon, how's it going?" Sven asked.
"Hello Sven, I'm doing good. What can I help you with?" Luana asked.
"Well, Wendy, Keith, Murph and I need to speak with you and Kellyn about something. Don't worry, it's good news but please come to the sixth floor as soon as you can!" Sven said.
"The Tree of Harmony? Sure, Kellyn and I will be there in a bit!" Luana said.
"Oh? I should've guessed Kellyn was already with you, that makes things easier! Looks like you two are out on a relaxing date, so come over when you're finished smooching!" Sven said as he hanged up.
"D-date? Grrr, Sven…" Luana said as Kellyn laughed.
"That was a quick call, c'mon, let's head over to the Ranger Union!" Kellyn said as he and Luana stood up.
"Y-yeah, let's go, I'll race you!" Luana said as she took off before Kellyn, who quickly ran right behind her.
After a short time, Kellyn and Luana reached the Ranger Union, with Luana barely beating him in the little race the two had.
"I almost had you back there, I was just going easy on you!" Kellyn said as Luana scoffed.
"Mhm, sure you were! Let's see what sort of good news awaits us upstairs shall we?" Luana said as the two entered inside.