~ 4 months later ~
With a yawn you open your eyes, you go to sit up but a firm grip keeps you in place. You realise Leon was still sound asleep behind you, his arm wrapped around your waist as he spooned into you. He nuzzles into your soft hair causing you to giggle. "Hey sleepyhead, it's time to get up." Your met with grunt as he grumbles, not wanting to let you go. "Come on Leon, we said we'd meet up with my parents today remember?" You nudge him gently and with a pained sigh his gold eyes flicker open. "You have to stop being so comfortable." He mumbles with a yawn as he loosens his hold, allowing you to stretch as you prop yourself up. You had both decided to go on vacation back to your hometown of Vaniville in Kalos. It served as both a getaway and the perfect opportunity to properly introduce your boyfriend to your family. It had been ages since you had seen them last and you couldn't wait for today. You had arranged to meet to have dinner with them back in your old home.
After getting up and dressed, you got some breakfast together. As you were not seeing your folks until later on, you both decided to take a walk as the weather was pleasant. You both leave the hotel hand in hand and start to casually walk around the small town. You wave and chat to familiar faces as you go and without realising, your path had taken you right to the entrance of Route 1. A silence falls across you both as the only sounds to be heard was the rustling of grass and chirps of nearby Pokèmon. Your heart feels heavy in your chest but you receive a reassuring squeeze from Leon. You glance down at your entangled hands and look back up at him with the ghost of a smile.
"We can head back if you want too (Y/N)" He says with an understanding look. You return your gaze to the scene before you and shake your head. "I've had enough of running away. If only for a part of the way, I'd like to walk here. As long as your by my side I feel as if I can do anything." Leon ruffles your hair affectionately with his free hand and together you take your first steps out into the wild. The area had hardly changed since you had lived here as a child. You follow the twining path until you get to a certain point and you stop. "What is it?" Leon asks as you stare into a thicket of trees that was located off of the pathway. "In there...that's where..." Your unable to finish your sentences as it feels like your throat is threatening to close up. You feel your stomach start to churn but you can't seem to tear your eyes away. "(Y/N) You don't have to do this, seriously, maybe it's best if we headed back." Leon gently tugs at you but you remain stubborn and try to push away the feelings collecting inside of you.
"No. No more running, I'm fine I can do this." Leon sighs but doesn't dare argue and slowly but surely you make your way through the trees. It's there you see it. The mouth of the cave entrance in which your life changed all those years ago. Time seemed to stand still in these parts as you gulp. You feel detached as you stare it down, the darkness from the inside almost seemed like it would creep out and swallow you whole. You didn't realise it, but you had begun trembling. Without a word Leon pulls you into a comforting embrace and you return it, burying your face into his broad chest. His warmth and familiar scent seemed to seep through your bones as your shaking gradually stopped. "I think I've done enough...let's go -" before you can finish your sentence, you hear a squeak.
It can't be
You pull away from Leon's hold only for your gaze to fall on to a flash of yellow fur. You and Leon say absolutely nothing in fears of frightening it. There's another little squeak and out steps your long lost partner. Fennekin. "Oh my Arceus." You whisper, not believing what you are witnessing. "Fe-Fennekin is that you?" You slowly crouch down to get eye level with the fox. Before you could blink, it shoots forward into your arms, nuzzling and squeaking galore. "Oh Fen! I've missed you so much!" You burst into tears hugging her tightly. Leon crouches beside you, rubbing your back with a huge smile on his face. After a few minutes of tears and cuddling, you wipe your puffy eyes as Fennekin hops down from your lap, looking up at you in earnest. "I think she wants you to catch her (Y/N)" Leon helps you back to your feet, as he pulls out a spare Pokèball from his pocket. "Go ahead." You smile and sniffle taking the ball from him and looking back to the fire type. Fennekin hops from side to side excitedly as you throw the ball. She gets zapped inside and a 'click' sounds after a few wiggles to tell you she was caught. You immediately summon her back out, placing her on your shoulder like back in the day. Leon gives her a pet and takes your hand again.
"Mum and Dad will never believe this!" You grin as you start to walk back towards your hometown. Thus began your life anew but a lot less lonely this time. With a loving Leon and loyal Pokèmon by your side, life was about to get a whole lot better...
END