White knocked on the front door a second time. She was about to pull out her Xtransceiver again to double-check the address when the door opened. "Oh!" White blinked, not expecting to be face-to-face with a Gardevoir.

She heard a voice call out, "It's okay, Ruru! Let her in!"

The Gardevoir stepped aside and White entered, looking for senior. "Er, hello?"

She had only been to Ruby and Sapphire's house a couple times, but today, it looked a lot different. There were toys all over the floor of the living room, shoes strewn about, and even halves of Pokeballs laying around.

White looked up when she heard footsteps on the stairs. Ruby appeared, one of the twins on his hip. "Sorry about that, White, and all the mess. It's challenger season, so Sapphire is busy at Ever Grande this week."

White shook her head, "No, no, it's fine! I'm sorry for dropping by so suddenly."

She smiled at the toddler, who had started to fuss. "Hi there! This must be Garnet. I'm White, your dad's friend."

Garnet blinked back at her, quietly waving. "Hi." he said shyly.

Ruby chuckled. "Alright, you're good now, hm?" He set his son on the floor. "Go play with your sister."

White turned to the older man, finally properly greeting him. "Hi Senior Ruby," she gave a small bow, "How are you?"

"Busy, as always. Emerald is supposed to be here to help, but instead it's like having three kids." Ruby rolled his eyes. "Arceus forbid."

From the living room, someone - Emerald, White guessed - yelled. "Hey, I've helped plenty!"

"Yeah, go back to sleep, Rald." Ruby called back, "Now, White, let's get to work."

White pulled out some folders from her bag, and the two had just gotten set up on the kitchen table when the twins ran past them. "Dad! C'n we go play!"

The two didn't wait for a response and raced outside. Ruby, to his credit, just whistled. "Nana, Coco, please go watch them. Make sure they don't fight."

White looked out the window to see a Mightyena and a Delcatty join the toddlers. She was surprised to see a Tropius out there as well. "Oh, that's Pilo!"

Ruby nodded absentmindedly, shuffling through his papers. "Mm. Sapphire took Mimi this time."

White grinned to herself. One of the many reasons Ruby and Sapphire were her favorite seniors was that the two of them were so similar to Black and herself. She couldn't think of anyone else who switched Pokemon teams as easily as them. And no one else really understood what it meant to be a pair, two parts of a whole, since they were young.

"Aha!" Ruby pushed a couple papers in front of her. "I did a few rough sketches, but I wanted to get your input before moving forward. Now, what do you think about these?"

White gasped in delight. The drawings were not 'rough' at all. There were half a dozen designs, all of them perfect for what she was looking for. But one of the dresses stood out to her. It was simple, but beautiful. "This one... it's gorgeous."

"Ah, you think so?" Ruby leaned over, pointing, "I'm very partial towards gloves, so I was thinking elbow-length, and maybe some embroidery on the neckline."

"Oh, yes! I can already picture it." White motioned with her finger. "We could just let it out there, and add some flare here..."

The duo were so engrossed in their work that neither looked up until steamy bowls of noodles slid in front of them. Emerald was there, arms crossed in front of an apron. "Dinner."

Ruby did a double-take. "Wha- dinner?" he glanced at the clock, "Latios, I didn't notice-"

Emerald waved him down. "It's fine, I handled it. Gar and Ky are clean and fed. They're asking to watch TV now." He flicked some dust at Ruby. "You're welcome, by the way. Those two were monsters outside."

Ruby shrugged, as if to say What'd you expect? "They're Sapphire's kids." he smiled warmly at his friend, "Thank you, Rald. Really."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm going back to watch TV now too."

White neatly put the sketches away in her folders, and started to eat. The noodles were delicious; who knew Emerald was such a good cook? They ate quickly and quietly, both surprisingly hungry. As they finished up, White couldn't help but think about all the plans and designs Ruby had drawn up, and how perfect they would look once they came to life. She didn't know how she was going to wait a few more months.

Her senior got up to clear the table, drawing White out of her daydream. "Oh! Let me." She hurried to grab the dishes, but Ruby beat her to it.

"Absolutely not. I need to at least show some semblance of being a host. You sit down and tell me if there is anything else you want reworked."

White reluctantly sat down, but added. "Ruby, every design is perfect! Honestly. I really can't thank you enough."

Ruby glanced at her over the sink. "This is what I love doing. I wanted to thank you, actually, for giving me a reason to get back to it. Your dress has been the first one I designed in nearly a year. I hadn't realized how much I missed this."

He added with a wink, "The only thanks I need is for you to look breath-takingly beautiful next month."

White smiled. "Of course. And you will be there, right? You and Sapphire."

"We would never miss it." The kitchen clean, Ruby came back around to the table. "I've even already arranged for the twins to stay with my parents."

She giggled, "Aw, they can't come?"

"Are you kidding?" Ruby scoffed and shook his head, "The next thing you know, Sapphire and I will be your new employees."

White laughed again, trying to picture her two hard-headed seniors working for the BW Agency. The thought made her laugh even more.

Just then, her Xtransciever beeped, letting her know she had a few messages and voicemails. Today was her day off, however, so she swiped the notifications away and was about to turn off the device when she noticed the time. "Oh no! It's almost- it's so late!" She grabbed her bag and stuffed her folders in, "I should be leaving soon. I'm sure you have a lot to do-"

Ruby blinked at her, "Eh? You know, you can stay here, White. We have an empty room upstairs. Emerald usually just sleeps on the couch."

White continued as if she hadn't heard him. "-I'll just say bye to Emerald and the twins. Let's go see what they're watching!"

She hurried out of the room to the living room, and Ruby had no choice but to follow her.

White stopped in the doorway, scanning the television. It was showing a short interview with Sidney, a member of the Elite Four. She breathed a sigh of relief, she hadn't missed it. White stepped fully into the room. Emerald looked up from the device he was tinkering with, noticing her just then. "Uh, hey, White. Are you leaving?"

"Er, yes. I have a few meetings tomorrow morning."

Ruby had caught up to her now, and she took a moment to apologize. "But thank you for the offer, Ruby! Hopefully my next trip will be longer."

The older man waved away her concern, "I remember what it was like, to be young and carefree, always traveling from region to region..."

Emerald groaned from his corner on the couch, "Urgh, Ruby, you're like, not even 30."

"Don't speak about my age, Emerald."

"Dad! Look!"

"Mama! Mama on TV!"

Ruby stopped to peer at the television, and sure enough, Sapphire Birch was on the screen. "Oh? It's a little late for a Champion battle."

White nudged her senior, her eyes dancing. "Look closer!"

Ruby turned the volume up, listening to the announcer. "It looks like there's a last-minute challenger? Has he even qualified for a battle for the Champion title?"

The camera pans over to the challenger's box. Ruby's eyes widened in recognition. Over in Ever Grande, Sapphire roared with laughter. "Hey, let 'im in!This'll be an exception; 1 v. 1!"

The battle is officially announced, "Today's final battle, our Hoenn Champion, SAPPHIRE BIRCH! Versus, the Champion of Unova, BLACK KURO."

Ruby turned to his smiling junior, shocked. "You knew...? Was this planned?"

White laughed, "Black was so excited; He and Iris used to do this all the time back when Black first became Champion. He insisted I make sure you watch." She shook her head, "Practically pushed me out the window, too."

Garnet and Kyanite cheered as the Trainers called out their respective starter Pokemon. "Blaziken vs. Emboar, a battle of fire and fight! Just who will prevail?"

"Toro!"

"Bo!"

"BEGIN!"

Ruby joined his kids on the ground, and watched his wife battle.

It was late when White - "No I wasn't lying!" - and Emerald - "I've stayed here long enough!" - left, leaving Ruby with his twin toddlers. Both of them were fast asleep on the couch, Ky's head on her brother's stomach, and Gar's arms were on her face. Ruby smiled at the sight. He decided to let them sleep a little longer while he cleaned up.

Finally done, he was just choosing which one to pick up first when he heard the front door creak open and shut. Sapphire tiptoed into the living room. "Hi. Did ya miss me?" she whispered.

"Sapph." Ruby hugged her tightly, then kissed her cheek. "Of course I did. How are you back so soon?"

She leaned into his shoulder. "Phoebe says she'll come get me if anyone makes it through, but I doubt it." Her voice was muffled. "The strongest Trainers come at the start."

Ruby chuckled softly, "If I remember correctly, you got there at the very last day."

Sapphire pulled back, pouting, "Hey! We got back from Sinnoh late because of you."

"Steven laughed, Sapphire."

She pushed him playfully. "Shut it."

Sapphire walked around him, and knelt by the couch. "Aw. They're adorable."

"They're asleep." Ruby retorted, crouching next to her.

Sapphire pushed her daughter's hair out of her face. "D'you think they missed me?"

"Don't be silly, Sapph," he squeezed her hand, "They asked about you all the time. You should've seen their faces when they saw you on TV today."

She grinned at the mention of her battle. "Black completely surprised me! That friendly Champion battle was so much fun." She turned to Ruby. "He told me after that White was with you. What'd you guys do?"

"We just went over the designs for her dress, and other planning details. She pulled me in front of the TV just in time to see you and Black, though."

He nudged her lightly with his shoulder, giving her a quick kiss as she turned to face him. "You were amazing - as always."

Even now, compliments like that made her blush. Sapphire winked, "Well, I'm not gonna lose anytime soon." She stood slowly, and nodded towards the two toddlers, still fast asleep. "You take one, I'll take the other?"

Ruby nodded and carefully lifted Kyanite, making sure she stayed asleep. He waited for Sapphire at the bottom of the stairs and watched as she held Garnet close, happy to do so again after so long. Ruby couldn't help but smile at his family. Sapphire scrunched her nose at him. "What is it?"

He kissed her again. "Nothing.

"Nothing at all."

the next one, whenever I finish it, will be about Yellow, probs